East Cambridge is historically an isolated community.

The area was settled in the middle of the 19th century as a planned village an on island, set apart from the rest of Cambridge by undeveloped land, says Charles M. Sullivan, executive director of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

By the time roads were constructed joining East Cambridge to the rest of the city, the area had already distinguished itself from the neighboring regions of Cambridge.

D'Onofrio says while growing up she enjoyed the neighborhood's insular nature.

"It was a real neighborhood," she says. "People all knew one another. If you had a cold, your neighbors would come to check on you. You could leave your door unlocked without worrying."

Gary Mitchell's restaurant, the S & S Deli, is a testament to the pride longtime residents and store-owners still take in the community. Mitchell's family has owned the deli for 80 years and it is the only establishment on Cambridge Street that has not changed its name or ownership since D'Onofrio was a child.

The S&S is a veritable shrine to the area's history. On the walls are a collage of black and white photographs of Cambridge Street and the deli from 50 years ago. A mural in the back of the restaurant includes a life-size painting of Mitchell's great-grandmother.

"This was a wonderful place to live and to grow up," Mitchell says.