Meet Matthew and Tiffany Lake of Real Roots Cafe in Ft. Oglethorpe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew and Tiffany Lake.

Matthew and Tiffany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My wife and I started the journey of healthy eating about 7 years ago. We decided to go vegetarian and quickly noticed a major change in our energy levels and overall health. Then, in 2013, I left the corporate world of 7 years to pursue an entrepreneur lifestyle. My wife, Tiffany, and I (my girlfriend at the time), began to travel to local farmers markets with readymade smoothies. After we did that for a summer, I was tapped by a local business owner in October 2013 to work at his new juice bar. I quickly took over as GM and took a small juice bar doing about $250 a day, to a staple on the Chattanooga Southside with sales over $1K a day and climbing. My wife soon joined the team as kitchen manager and chef, and The Local Juicery & Kitchen in downtown Chattanooga took off.

We were introduced to local restauranteurs and were able to train with some of the top chefs in the area. Through close collaboration with our team and the owner, we grew fast as an entirely plant-based juice, smoothie, and healthy food bar. Fast forward to 2017. My wife and I got pregnant (on purpose) and with baby quickly approaching in July, we had begun to train some management replacements while we were on leave. Well, the owner of The Local (he had opened a 2nd location in Ft. Oglethorpe), had been trying to launch 2 other business and wasn’t going to be able to keep the 2nd location of Local Juice open. So, we approached us and asked if we wanted to take over. He knew that we wanted our own spot, and knew we wanted to be a cafe style instead of a pure juice bar with a small kitchen. So, we officially opened under Real Roots Cafe on September 19th, 2017. We are totally plant-based cafe, but don’t advertise as such. We let the food speak for itself…just so happens to be whole food plant-based and very healthy. But seriously…the food is decedent and shows what healthy eating should be!

Has it been a smooth road?
Leaving the corporate world was tough. I left the insurance world and my wife left the banking industry. With our limited income in 2013, we moved into her parent’s basement as we tried to get settled. working for a small juice bar was tough, income-wise at first, but with our sweat and tears came quick growth…for the company and for us. It was also difficult as the owner is very young and not involved much on the day-to-day level, yet wanted complete control. I had to make decisions on the fly in the hopes I made the right one. It really taught me a lot about myself…especially how deep I can dig when I need to (and how great I am with customers). Now with a new baby and a new business, we find ourselves working far too much…but we love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a plant-based cafe that specializes in local coffee, nutrient dense smoothies, smoothie bowls (sorbet served with granola and fresh fruit on top), specialty lattes (coffee-less), avocado toasts, healthy slushes, sodas, and our own version of Frappes. We also serve sit-down food that is 100% plant based and absolutely delicious. Some of our best sellers are our Chocolate Brownie Pie and our Mock Chick-un Salad Wrap.

On Friday and Saturday, we do a bigger menu with some incredible offering. So far, we have done BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches with cashew cheese on top. Our best item to date was our Chili Cheeze Nachos with Buffalo Jackfruit and Ranch Slaw…our Buffalo Tacos with ranch slaw were killer as well.

We have a red lentil & sundried tomato chili with quinoa, chickpeas, black beans, and spices that we can’t seem to keep stocked…people LOVE it

Most don’t even realize we are plant based. Our chef’s food is so good, that many assume it has meat or real cheese in it…yet it doesn’t.

The health factor combined with the flavor factor is what sets us apart.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I honestly wish we were closer to ATL. This type of food is thriving in downtown and growing quickly. I highly recommend that anyone looking to open a healthy eating or vegan cafe, do some in ATL.