\n<\/p>\n
Entrepreneur\u2019s annual list of America\u2019s Favorite Mom & Pop Shops celebrates local, independent businesses that light up their communities. Editor in chief Jason Feifer is traveling the country to visit with some of this year\u2019s stars, and his latest stop is Robke\u2019s<\/a>, where he finds out how the Selvaggio family, owners for 48 years, turned a small bar once run by a German family into the neighborhood\u2019s favorite Italian restaurant.<\/p>\n Robke\u2019s, located in Northport, Long Island, breaks just about every rule in the restaurant playbook: no delivery, no reservations, no credit cards. And it works.<\/p>\n Owner Louis Selvaggio says the rules have stayed in place because the customers keep coming. \u201cWhen you\u2019re good, you\u2019re good, and people respect that,\u201d he says. \u201cIf there wasn\u2019t a line out the door every weekend, maybe we\u2019d rethink things.\u201d<\/p>\n Feifer notes that is is a lesson founder\u2019s should take note of: \u201cYou don\u2019t get to make your own rules until you\u2019re the only place that does what you do.\u201d<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean standing still. Mia Selvaggio says Instagram Reels \u201ctook it to the next level,\u201d especially videos showing how to prepare the signature pork chop martini<\/a>. (No, it\u2019s not a drink.)<\/p>\n Selvaggio sets the often frantic service pace himself. \u201cI like to lead by example,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ll bus the tables. I\u2019ll put the cheese on the pasta. I\u2019ll hold the door open. When I move, the staffers move.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the full episode to see how Robke\u2019s built its kitchen culture and its loyal following. As Feifer puts it, \u201cIn a world of ever-evolving technologies, businesses, and workflows, it\u2019s the simple approach that lasts.\u201d<\/p>\n America\u2019s Favorite Mom and Pop Shops\u00ae is brought to you by \u202aCLA\u202c. Learn how CLA can help your small business grow.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n