New Jersey isn’t naive to good Italian food. From pizza to pasta to antipasti and more, those who grew up in the Garden State likely consumed more tomatoes, basil, garlic, and mozzarella than those who grew up outside of the tri-state area. It’s no surprise that there are so many delicious Italian bakeries, delis, pizza places, and bistros in Hoboken and Jersey City to choose from.

This past spring, at the start of the pandemic, a special Italian market opened up near Hamilton Park and became immediately beloved by locals. Read on for insight on Cangiano’s unique opening and a dive into the shop’s incredible variety of Italian specialties, pre-prepared foods, and market goods.