Interview with Anastasia Genova – Managing Director of the Genovas family business
Dietikon, 4 April 2024
In this interview, we learn more about the small family business Genovas, an Italian speciality shop in Zurich that also runs a mini bistro and provides catering and cooking experiences.
Anastasia Genova – Managing Director of the Genovas family business
Ms Genova, please tell us a bit about Genovas.
I’m Anastasia Genova, the youngest daughter of F. Genova, who opened Genovas at the end of 2014 with my brother Miloud. Our father left his home town of Montenero di Bisaccia in the Molise region in his 20s and moved to Zurich. Our family in Italy – we’re a farming family – has been supplying us with fruit, vegetables and olives for years. Our father started importing products to Switzerland that are grown, processed and labelled in Italy. Products like olive oil, tomato sauce and pasta are made from our own raw ingredients. Our concept evolved from private events and cooking classes into today’s small bistro. Our menu features as many of our own products as possible, such as olive oil and tomato sauce. Selected delicacies like fresh mozzarella come from Italy every week. I now run Genovas with my father, although it’s not our main job. I currently teach 90% of the time and my father works on various projects.
What sets your products apart?
Our own Genovas brand boasts a very special logo and design. We gave the brand our family name – we’re not actually from Genoa as many people initially assume. Currently almost all our products are organically certified, which is very important to us. All the products are processed organically, but it will take time and money to gradually certify our farm.
Is it mainly (homesick) Italians who buy from you, or how would you describe your clientele?
I’d say we have a very broad customer base. Both in the shop and in the bistro. As a teacher, I’m very happy when I hear that a child wants to celebrate their birthday with a family meal at our place. But I’m also delighted by larger companies that regularly host customer dinners with us, as well as every single diner who visits us. The best thing is that many customers and diners feel like they’re on holiday when they visit us. It feels like a piazza in Italy, especially in summer when Idaplatz is full, there’s musical accompaniment and a great atmosphere.
We’ve been delivering parcels for you since 2020. What do you appreciate about our partnership?
In the beginning, our online shop wasn’t that busy. During the pandemic, however, we focused more on this. We used to deliver the parcels ourselves, but this became impossible due to time constraints. As our warehouse – and my office – are in Regensdorf, I started sending parcels via Planzer. I always know exactly where my parcels are and can easily enter them into the system. I really appreciate that.
What plans do you have for the future of your family business?
With my own company, Selahna GmbH, I want to add several products from new producers to the range in future, thereby supporting small farms. We also specifically select our panettoni every year in order to support smaller farms, preferably family businesses. The aim is to send parcels throughout Switzerland. We’re also making major changes in the bistro concerning the menu and our products. I hope to pass on my passion, zest for life and love to my family and especially my grandparents in the form of these products. Genovas is our passion and a great hobby that represents our family. Many thanks for doing this interview.
Thank you very much for the interview.
