MEDINA -- Root Candles is a family business, dating back five generations.
"We started in 1869 as a beekeeping suppliers," says Brad Root. In the early 1930's, Root transitioned into making liturgical candles.
Then, in the 1960's, the company added decorative candles with fragrances and dyes.
Today the company produces nine million pounds of candles a year, and employs about 150 people at its Medina plant.
According to Root, the secret to the company's longevity is its ability to evolve into different things.
"It's really trying to focus on making the best candle in American, so we can provide what the consumers are looking for," says Root.
Root Candles is changing once again by relaunching its decorative line of candles.
"As we talk to consumer focus groups, what we found they really wanted was fragrance, fragrance, fragrance," Root says. Root's response is a new line of "Legacy Candles" that have plenty of what the consumers are looking for.
The candles are an example of the company's commitment to growing the business, even in tough economic times.
"Each generation needs to add to that heritage of ours and something that can continue to sustain us through another generation and leave a good legacy for my children and the children of the people who work here," Root says.
