Laraia’s Cheese: Top Notch Since 1979

In Larry Laraia's words, he's reinvented himself five times.

He started out working in a deli, and then was a Buitoni Foods salesman for eight years. After that, he owned Laraia's Imports Italian Deli on Route 59 in Nanuet from 1970 through 1979. Shortly thereafter, he opened Laraia's Cheese Company, a wholesaler in West Nyack, eventually moving to Nanuet in the mid 1980s. Then, when the wholesale side slowed a bit, he opened Laraia's Cheese Shop at its current location.

And if you love the smell of cheese – and service with a smile and fun conversation -- then you'll love Laraia's Cheese Shop.

"The store was renovated four years ago," says Laraia. The 5 Seeger Drive locale was originally a 3,500 square foot wholesaler. The wholesale business was moved to a new location in New Windsor, N.Y., and the cheese shop was born in 1998.

"Our retail shop is 12 years old," Laraia said. "I see my customers every three to four weeks, but sometimes I see new ones who can't believe Laraia's has been here over 25 years!"

Laraia's is the home of 48 varieties of mozzarella cheese made from 100 percent cow's milk. Greg Laraia, Larry's son, owns the wholesale company in New Windsor, and he churns out 10,000 – 15,000 pounds of cheese per week. Onsite in Nanuet, 400 to 500 pounds are created.

"The wholesaler," says Larry Laraia, "sells cheeses throughout the country, utilizing six distributors." Gourmet shops, restaurant and supermarkets are among the locations that sell the Laraia brand.

"Flavor is the key," he claims when asked about favorable reactions to cheese. "There's excitement in a good piece of cheese. It also encourages eating better foods."

Laraia is the creator of the original string cheese, and varieties from seeded to no-seeds, marinated and smoked, are available at the shop. Fresh mozzarella comes in all different sizes, including rolled with meats like pepperoni and prosciutto and stuffed as well. Laraia's also stocks a variety of other cheeses, olives, spreads, olive oils, jams, vinegars like balsamic, pastas and crackers, vegan ravioli and other frozen Italian meals, Jelly Belly candies, gifts and house wares.

Laraia, 72, the proud dad of three children who is a grandfather many times over, guarantees two things: he and his workers will always be wearing ties ("I have over a hundred") and that his shop sells anything – except wine -- that goes with cheese. He also lights up when discussing his latest mozzarella creation: Burrata. "It's stuffed with mascarpone, heavy cream and ricotta cheese."

Laraia's Cheese Shop also makes special cheese creations for the holidays, creating turkey figurines for Thanksgiving, snowmen for Christmas, and rabbits, ducks and lambs for Easter.

Interested in holding a wine & cheese party? Call Larry Laraia. You supply the wine, he'll bring the cheese – and lots of laughs.

"I'll be doing my 260^th on Aug. 19^th. Everyone samples four cheeses, and at the end, everyone gathers around, and I show them how to make the mozzarella, too. Over the years, I must've done parties for about 10,000 people."

Yes, if it goes with cheese, you'll find it at Laraia's Cheese Shop – as well as friendliness and a smile.

Bring yours as well.

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