By the 1960s, many Italian businesses also sprang up in the Hastings and Nanaimo areas, but the cultural core remained on Commercial Drive.

On April 6, 2016, the Vancouver City Councillors voted unanimously to declare the area Little Italy.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 12 to officially recognize an eight-block stretch of Commercial Drive as Little Italy.

There are many Italian cafes, delis, and restaurants along the street, including stores which import goods from Italy.

Two Roman Catholic churches offering masses in Italian, St. Helen's and Holy Cross, are located nearby.