A I Root Co

It seems like several years ago they had MUCH more merchandise. They have really pared down what they have in stock. That being said it’s a local business that has some pretty great candles. If you are buying for yourself I would recommend the discount store that is located around the corner (in the basement) of the retail shop. The prices are far friendlier.

Besides the beautiful square, AI Root Candle company is the claim to fame in Medina, Ohio. I absolutely love their candles! They come in all different kinds of smells and I could literally spend hours there. They also have great other items, including stationary, dried or preserved food items and so many different decorations (I loved an embroidered America pillow I found there but it was just way too expensive to buy – $ 200, but I still want it so badly!)
I definitely recommend looking first to the outlet (when coming from the square, it’s just after the train tracks on the left) to purchase any candles there as they usually have out of season, discontinued and slightly damaged/​not-​up-​to-​snuff items. The candles here are much cheaper and still very good quality!
I love buying all my candles here to support a local business! I’ve even found their candles across the country and internationally.

I LOVE ROOT CANDLES! LUV’M, LUV’M, LUUUVVUUMM! But, I cannot afford them. This review has a happy ending though…‘Brief’ history; I’ve lived in Ohio 49 of my 50yrs and never heard of them until my childhood best friend whose family moved away to California when we were 11yrs old-(broke my little heart) called to ask a favor… He was coming to town because he was the stage sound man for a major act and asked if I could find them and as he pronounced it, «Medeeena» (he’s a So-​Cal boy now ;-) was only 35mins from home. California is 3,500 miles and he absolutely had to have them! He found one at a local San Diego bookstore that was going out of business for $ 5 drastically marked down and did not know full price value. He wanted what he had, a 12″ Timberline Pillar or several if the price was right. Here comes the Review/​Story part…
I called «Root» ‘cuz what was ‘so-​darned-​special’ ’bout these anyway!-(I ‘thought’ that part-​rude to say otherwise.) The woman on the phone was very polite as I reiterated my story (above) and I just wanted to give her the praise from the other side of the continent. She listened and popped out «Well if he doesn’t mind knicks or imperfect?, you can shop the discards in the warehouse? Me: «Can you accommodate a wheelchair?», She: «The warehouse has steps but there is a freight elevator?» I said that was just fine.
Although, for the thoughtful accommodation of this sales associate, when I arrived a different associate treated me rudely and would not let me go to the elevator with «I don’t know why she told you that!!!» repeatedly until, stomping, she left then came back to say it was *ok!*. Sending for her to come get me and ring me out was another situation and proved very laborious to her (you know, lifting the door and pushing the one elevator button subseded with the act of those burdensome register keys) and when I thanked her all I got was her resuming a conversation with a friend that I so rudely interrupted with my eventual $ 70+ purchase on five candles (remember nearly a 50% discount)…‘Suppose I’m privileged to get them at all*!?*
ANYHOO! I lit a candle at home and that damned candle burned approximately 8−10hrs a day for nearly 4 months! I’ve never seen anything like it! No scent loss, no warping or leaking down the side! OMG! I was AMAZED and told everybody! And you know when a candle gets low and people want to throw them away? I told my assistants that I’m conducting an experiment and don’tcha know?! That candle burned down ’til there was not a drop of wax left in the foil I wrapped the bottom with! Literally! Just foil and the little metal recyclable wick support!
I didn’t go back into the store because of the degrading in-​person treatment, but sent others in. Later I moved and they didn’t have much of a website and when they did they weren’t selling the scratch-​n-​dents. Further, when they listed the sales or the s-​n-​ds the shipping was cost prohibitive and I called to see if they’d send them USPS at $ 6 as opposed to their $ 20, they said «No.»
After almost 18yrs (accidents that land you paralyzed and in a wheelchair can make you very patient… or insane… I choose the former) I am THRILLED to have received my first two big boxes by USPS! They look fine just one cracked glass en route I suppose, and one lid to a jarred candle I thought was missing but later found in the box. The broken one got a small piece o’ duct tape. It’s burning now, duct tape facing the wall.
In the end buy them on sale, damaged, full priced, at ANY price they are worth it! If you have brown skin you’ll be followed in store and at Medina Square Festival «Root» displays –not me but my trustworthy assistant shopping alone among a throng of suburban ‘lighter’ «ladies, They need to work on that and my assistant is past the ignorance, but like me, she probably won’t shop in person (and she at full price or sale) and they are losing a valuable possible idea driven marketing line, with my shared and enjoyed laughable apology to Sheria (she’ll buy them when I order), we can’t help ourselves! ”cuz they truly are «The Best Candle In Ameuuurica! «-“Since 1869» (that is.)

Haven’t been to the actual store but i have been ordering online from them for the last few years. Their candles are THE BEST!!! they aren’t made with chemicals which is a plus for me cause any candles made with chemicals gives me headaches. And their candles smell wonderful! I can light one in my bedroom upstairs and can smell it all the way downstairs! My favorite is the enchanted twilight, but sadly this is a discontinued scent. :(why ROOT, why?! fortunately they have great sale prices on discontinued scents and with my obsession, I’ve stocked up like crazy!!! And they do cost more than traditional candles, but they burn CLEAN all the way down to the bottom of the jar. and they have scents like no other. My suggestion, go to their website and see if you can find someone locally who sells ROOT, and you can stop by and smell them for yourself! :) My ultimate goal: to someday visit ROOT in person and possibly never leave… :)

Root Candles is another example of my «worth driving to or from Cleveland» category. Yes, they sell candles. Actually, the highest quality candles you will find anywhere, but this is just as much a gift and home décor destination as well. I’m not sure who their buyer is, but their taste is excellent! There are two floors and at the end of the lower level is an area where they hold cooking classes and tastings. Local tip: when you are done with the big store, be sure to head around the corner to their outlet store. Good markdowns and some current and discontinued «seconds» (which are actually hard to find the flaws in). They change displays and selection in the main store on a seasonal basis and host an indoor farmers market on weekend days in the winter.

A.I. Root Company, you take the sting out of bees!
From honey, to candles the Root Co. takes the cake. (Honey bee cake to be specific). The A.I. Root Co. has been a staple in Medina for YEARS! They have expanded their flagship store from the old Root that I grew up with (am I dating myself? I hope not!) to a large showroom and showplace. For the candle snob in you, head into the main store. Even if you plan on just browsing, you’ll probably end up walking out w/​a little something… if not a lot of something.
Make sure to try the honey made by Root. Even the White House uses over a gallon a month of Root’s honey. (yes, it IS that good.)
For the cheaper, less-​snobby you… be sure to visit the «Outlet» around the back of the building for a less-​than-​perfect candle but with all the great Root scent! You’ll be sure to find a bargain here.
This is an ideal place to pick up a gift, wedding present, or a little something for yourself. As I sit typing this now I am enjoying Root’s «Cinnamon Buns» candle.

I love Root candles. I especially love Root candles at the factory outlet store!!!
The place smells incredible. Depending on the wind, the town of Medina smells wonderful!
I don’t get up north as often as I’d like, but when I do I HAVE to go to the AI Root Company store, the origin of all Root candles. And while I’ve been in the store, my focus is always on the outlet in the back.
You can get fantastic deals on awesome candles that are… the wrong color, discontinued, whatever. The bottom line is great prices on awesome candles.
No… it does NOT get any better than this!!!

Skip the retail store and head straight to the Outlet store around the back first. The outlet store features overruns or slightly imperfect candles. Hey, for burning at home or churches, this is a great deal! The medium Queen Bee jars were only $ 12.50! I stocked up on jars, votives, tapers, and travel candles. They were running a buy 3 get one free sale when I was there. I’m not sure how frequently they run that sale but doing this on top of the already deep discount makes you wonder why anyone would want to shop the retail store. Well, wait, the retail store does feature new scents and gourmet food so there is a good reason to pay full price for that stuff.