Behind the Business: Bobby Breitenstein

Opening a successful business is one thing.

Opening a restaurant amidst one of the nation’s worst economic collapses is entirely something else.

But that’s exactly the case for the , celebrating its two-year anniversary this week.

Bobby Breitenstein, who co-owns of the Root Café with his wife , used his skills in construction to craft the space at the corner of Andrews and Detroit avenues.

Every detailed mattered.

From the walls, floors to the kitchen, Breitenstein’s fingerprints are all over the place.

The entrepreneurial couple took their idea of serving quality coffee and integrating fresh, local food into the menu.

The result?

The Root quickly became a community institution.

“We’re getting pretty close to fulfilling our business plan,” Breitenstein said. “We’re getting there.”

A Solon native, Breitenstein said there are a number of reasons why he loves Lakewood, including its “proximity to a lot of natural amenities and accessibility to small businesses.”

His favorite part about running the Root?

“Developing relationships with my customers and with the people who I am buying the food from,” he said.

Lakewood Patch took a few minutes to get to know Breitenstein a little better. Our take on the Proust Questionnaire, crafted by French writer Marcel Proust, seems like a perfect fit.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Lakewood: .

Favorite place to spend time with your family: The Metroparks.

Favorite qualities in a man: Honesty.

Favorite qualities in a woman: Gentleness.

Your chief characteristic: Honesty.

Favorite characteristic in friends: Kindness.

Your main fault: Trying to plan too much to do in one day.

Your idea of happiness: Here and now.

Your idea of misery: Rejection.

If not Lakewood would you like to live: In the mountains.

Favorite hero in fiction: The Flash.

Favorite artist: Hazel Breitenstein, my daughter. She makes and creates more things than I have seen any artist.

Favorite food, favorite drink: Pizza, beer.

Military event in history: Nuclear disarmament.

What I hate the most: Complaining.

The natural talent I’d like to be gifted with: Flying.

How I wish to die: Old, and on a mountain.

What is your present state of mind: Calm.

For what fault have you the most toleration: Misunderstanding.

Your favorite motto: Be here now.