How It Works: Nina’s is a small Upper East Side eatery, dependent on family labor to turn an extremely modest profit from serving 300 meals a week in its 24-seat dining room. The majority of Nina’s income comes from fancy pizza; the cheese, sauce, and dough in the $11.95 Nina’s Original cost Nina’s $3. Wine is another moneymaker, at a 200 to 250 percent markup.

Annual Revenue: $186,000 ($18,000 is profit).

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• Archive: “Features”
• Articles by Arianne Cohen
• Table of Contents: Jun 11, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!