The Observation Deck

Big tables more space.

Lakewood owned, and built with real love by Bobby/Julie and gang.



The best part of this photo for me has to be the electrical outlets every two feet.

Best wired coffee shop to get wired in!


One of Lakewood's gifted artists, Nathan Melaragno with friend put some finishing
touches on his hand painted walls.

Phoenix Coffee has been the cool spot in town for decades. Bobby and Julie have
really poured their hearts and souls into this new place.

See you there starting Monday!


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Adam, Natalie and Bobby.



No one in town can pour a cup of coffee like The Root Café. Award winning baristas
pouring the best coffee in town. (bela dubby serves Phoenix Coffee too!)



Ken Warren speaking with Betsy about Joe Madak and his love of Frito's.


Coffee and food really good and fresh, conversations are even better.

Really nice job.

.

I will certainly miss the cave like and comfy atmosphere of the old place, but this is a worthy sucessor. Good food and drink, nice decor, and very friendly service.

Looks amazing. I can't wait to give them a try.

Why the name change?

The Root Café is quickly becoming the cool spot to be seen during the day. Artists, musicians, photographers, corporate types that understand, the cool that is generated when LOVE and real artists build a place, have been flocking through the doors since opening.

We had always considered the Lakewood Observer Office to be just left of the center
of the universe, but The Root Café is making a real run for the center of the universe.


Tom Warren, Lakewood native now New York artist/photographer, stops from
showing me the latest video he is in for a quick photo.



Jim O'Bryan and Steve Davis speak with Joe McClain, who was so instrumental in the library,
schools, and rebuilding Case Western Reserve University, stops in from a break at William and
Mary College where he is working his magic now.


Good friend photographer Dan Morgan of Straight Shooter Photgraphy staggers in
for his first cup of joe on the way to his studio. Dan's specialty is big homes,
architectural photography and jewelry for national/international magazines.



Mel Page (center) with sister from Boston stop in and speak with Betsy on the right.


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Heather Ramsey wrote:Why the name change?

I would suspect they aren't interested in paying a licensing/franchise fee to Phoenix any longer.

The place looks great. I'll have to check it out soon.

Charley

It gets kind of complicated but I do not believe that The Phoenix ever had to pay fees to Phoenix Coffee.

Carl and Sarah Jones who own "Phoenix Coffee" and were the brains behind Arabica and Starbucks
never owned Phoenix in Lakewood, nor licensed it.

They just purchased back all of their coffee shops, and continue to grow the supply side to
others, example I think 4 places in Lakewood serve Phoenix roasted coffee. They are also
going national with their coffee and tea products.

I think it boils down to Julie and Bobby wanted to change more than location. They have a pretty
nice concept, and it goes to show you what can happen, when locals work together.

The love and warmth is everywhere, much like The Melt. Sarah Jones was there last week
and is raving about how nicely it has turned out.

FWIW


.

Jim,
I don’t know the specifics of their arrangement with Phoenix Coffee and it’s really none of my business. However, it’s very rare that one company will let another company use its name and/or logo without some kind of compensation.

That said, I’m glad they stayed in Lakewood and moved into a bigger space. Although, I wouldn’t mind having one of the old Phoenix cups for a souvenir.

Some of Lakewood's wonderful Albanian community play dominoes at The Root Cafe.




Lakewood educator, Phil Hilty at The Root Cafe.




Kim Yanoshik talking with a friend at the Root Cafe. Kim is the eye/camera behind
Random Lakewood Snaps.



Gregory Aliberti of AlibertiArtTile.com taking photos of his tile work in the Root Cafe.



Lakewood Observer's publisher, Mel Page.



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Lakewood's "Mr. Fabulous" Stan Austin.



Then there was a good buddy and person I love talking to, professor, economist,
mathematician, and all around good guy John Goddall at the Root Café.


Followed immediately by...


Lakewoodite, ex-roomate, and the man behind Ohio City Pasta, Gary Thomas.


More art in the neighborhood!



I entitled this, "A cold winter morning on the day the apes walked, then biked on the
shores of a lake in Japan."


See you over coffee!


.

I have to say, the new Root is THE most inviting place (with Julie and Bobby) you could ever imagine.
Stan

Lakewood's Director Of Planning, Nathan Kelly with Charlie Newcomer the drummer
of Skinny Moo, "Cleveland's Finest Cover Band" according to Cleveland Magazine at
the cash register. Real cool funk and stuff at the cash register.



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Chas Geiger of Geiger's Clothing and past School Board Member and always a classy
person stops in at the Root Cafe, talking with Betsy Voinovich for awhile mentioning
what a good article her and Meg wrote in the latest Observer, and wishing them
success in the efforts to save Grant School.



Ceila Dorsch of H2O grabs a window seat and speaks with a friend.



Another beautiful cup of mocha poured by The Root Café barristas. This one by Matt.



Matt is an avid biker and skateboarder. The shots above are of Matt on the evening
they took down all of the fences around the new Lakewood Public Library. For 24
hours the near perfect skateboarding steps existed without "No Skate Boarding" signs
and Matt was the lucky person to break that cherry! As he leaves you can see them
getting ready for the Gala Party the next night.


/

That's Nick Aylward with Celia Dorsch : )