Renowned for its silky smooth round raviolis and hand-cut fettuccini, Queen Ann Ravioli & Macaroni is a Brooklyn institution. The small business opened in 1972 and has remained a local favorite ever since. As large pasta brands dominate the market, Queen Ann's manager — George Joseph Switzer III — offers more specialized products that customers might not find in supermarkets, including 25 types of ravioli and 50 different pasta cuts.
"Businesses like this are disappearing," said Switzer, who took over managing the family business from his father-in-law in the late 80s. His wife and sister now own it. "It's hard to find the labor; it's also hard to find the clientele." About 25% of the company's business is retail, and that number is shrinking, Switzer said. The rest is wholesale.
