Dyker Heights

A Little Bit Of Italy In Southwest Brooklyn

On this week’s show we will visit Dyker Heights, In Brooklyn. 

My guests will be expert tour guide Jeremy Wilcox, Founder and Owner of Custom NYC Tours, https://www.customnyctours.com/; and Alfred DiScipio, owner of La Villa Pizzeria, https://lavillapizza.com/

Tune in for this fascinating conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

On today’s show, we focus on Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. The episode features Jeremy Wilcox who is the founder and owner of Custom NYC Tours. He always loved exploring New York City neighborhoods in Ben before he got paid for it. He enjoyed going exploring with his friends in his spare time. The Dutch first began to settle in the area in the mid 1600’s. Dyker Heights originally got its name from Dyker meadows. When war started to take place, coastal control became more in demand. This led to another fort being built across The Narrows.

Segment 2

This summer Jeremey will be doing many in person tours around New York City including his Central Park walking and Midtown landmark and architecture tour. People can find out more by visiting his website www.customnyctours.com. Next the two discuss Walter Johnson and how he is known as the father of Dyker Heights. He is responsible for creating many beautiful homes within the city of Brooklyn. By the start of the First World War, the neighborhood was mostly settled. Later, some major renovations took place that made some buildings unrecognizable but the neighborhood remains the same. Jeremy explains how the sloping streets and big houses with stone frames make it unique compared to other suburban neighborhoods. Annually, there is a Christmas tradition in which the natives elaborately decorate their homes which attracts many tourists.

Segment 3

Tonight’s show will feature another guest for the second half of the show named Alfred Discipio. He is a New York native who was born in Brooklyn and moved all around the state. His family is originally from Italy. He owns the pizzeria La Villa Pizzeria and has a relative who owns an Italian Ice shop. Alfred’s cousins were in America before his parents came in the 1950’s. One of them was very smart and invented the pizza press. In 1962, they opened the doors of their new factory that Alfred worked in for many summers. This became the family business. He eventually decided to open his place in Dyker Heights and his family was so glad that he had come back.

Segment 4

Next Alfred describes the vibe of the neighborhood. He explains how he sees how families are setlng there longterm and making the location a home. He sees many children and families in the area. The restaurant in Dyker Heights opened up in 2017 and construction started in 2016. He noticed at his other location in Park Slope that there are many people who are regulares who do not live in the area. Some people travel multiple blocks to come in which is great. As a business owner, the pandemic was a big hit for him and his business but he has overcome the obstacles.