One of Joe Iavarone’s professors at Sacred Heart University once told the class that no family-owned business survives longer than three generations. Iavarone, now 26, objected — he’s among the fourth generation of his family to run Iavarone Bros. Gourmet Italian Foods, managing the company’s New Hyde Park market with his cousin, Jonathan.

The business that Pasquale Iavarone, Joe’s great-grandfather, founded in Brooklyn is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. It has grown to include a catering service and four markets that ship items nationwide, Joe Iavarone said. The Iavarones have kept the business in the family for its entire history, something that has been central to its success, Joe Iavarone said.