Robby’s recovery center officially opens
Dignitaries, residents pack Robby’s ribbon cutting
Robby’s, the county’s newest drug recovery center located on the west side of Medina, officially opened July 17. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
MEDINA – Residents of the neighborhood who initially expressed resistance to the county’s newest drug treatment facility have now given their blessing.
When Robby’s – the former steakhouse turned recovery center at 538 W. Liberty St. in Medina – held its ribbon cutting July 17, Robby’s director Dave Caperton, a 40-year recovered alcoholic, read a note that was sent to him.
“It says ‘Dear Robby’s: we welcome you to our neighborhood and wish you success as you work to preserve lives and historical stewardship in our community.’” Caperton read, adding the note was signed by the Bankers Row Historic Neighborhood Association. “I’m proud of this group and the way they’ve protected this community and we will take this responsibility of stewardship very, very seriously.”
Robby’s is the first facility of its kind in Medina County and is intended to combat widespread addictions to heroin and other substances head on. The facility was cleaned and renovated primarily by individuals in recovery over the last few months.
The center was formed in thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, acquired by Veronica Perry, chief probation officer of Medina County’s Adult Probation Department.
The probation department and Medina County Court of Common Pleas Judges Joyce Kimbler and Christopher Collier collaborated with national nonprofit Robby’s Voice to bring Robby’s to fruition. The group is expected to continue fundraising to keep the recovery center afloat. Kimbler praised the community’s collaboration in getting the center open.
“This is only the next step. It’s not the last step,” Robby’s Voice founder Rob Brandt said.
Brandt’s son Robby died of a drug overdose six years ago. He became emotional when dedicating the facility before a packed crowd of public officials, residents and many individuals currently in recovery.
“I want all of you in recovery, all of you that want recovery to know ... this is not our building. This is not our facility. This is yours. This is your place. This is your community,” Brandt said.
In addition to meeting spaces and offering counseling and job placement opportunities, the goal with Robby’s is to eventually provide culinary training, similar to the model of Edwin’s in Shaker Heights, a popular French restaurant staffed by ex-convicts.
Robby’s also received a proclamation from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office during the ceremony. The speeches were recorded by the Ohio Supreme Court for future broadcasting.
“We’re thankful that the recovery center is open,” Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell said. “We’re very appreciate of the work of Mr. Brandt and the common pleas court and the community in accepting this.”
The site is the former Medina Steak & Seafood restaurant, which has been closed since 2015. It was constructed as a stagecoach stop in 1858 by Civil War colonel and eventual U.S. Congressman H.G. Blake.
The location changed hands several times over the years and had been used as a “brothel, bookie joint, grocery store and saloon,” according to the website for the business that most recently occupied it.
For years, locals have speculated about the presence of “spirits” that remain inside the facility, which Brandt made a humorous nod toward during his speech.
When Robby’s – the former steakhouse turned recovery center at 538 W. Liberty St. in Medina – held its ribbon cutting July 17, Robby’s director Dave Caperton, a 40-year recovered alcoholic, read a note that was sent to him.
“It says ‘Dear Robby’s: we welcome you to our neighborhood and wish you success as you work to preserve lives and historical stewardship in our community.’” Caperton read, adding the note was signed by the Bankers Row Historic Neighborhood Association. “I’m proud of this group and the way they’ve protected this community and we will take this responsibility of stewardship very, very seriously.”
Robby’s is the first facility of its kind in Medina County and is intended to combat widespread addictions to heroin and other substances head on. The facility was cleaned and renovated primarily by individuals in recovery over the last few months.
The center was formed in thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, acquired by Veronica Perry, chief probation officer of Medina County’s Adult Probation Department.
The probation department and Medina County Court of Common Pleas Judges Joyce Kimbler and Christopher Collier collaborated with national nonprofit Robby’s Voice to bring Robby’s to fruition. The group is expected to continue fundraising to keep the recovery center afloat. Kimbler praised the community’s collaboration in getting the center open.
“This is only the next step. It’s not the last step,” Robby’s Voice founder Rob Brandt said.
Brandt’s son Robby died of a drug overdose six years ago. He became emotional when dedicating the facility before a packed crowd of public officials, residents and many individuals currently in recovery.
“I want all of you in recovery, all of you that want recovery to know ... this is not our building. This is not our facility. This is yours. This is your place. This is your community,” Brandt said.
In addition to meeting spaces and offering counseling and job placement opportunities, the goal with Robby’s is to eventually provide culinary training, similar to the model of Edwin’s in Shaker Heights, a popular French restaurant staffed by ex-convicts.
Robby’s also received a proclamation from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office during the ceremony. The speeches were recorded by the Ohio Supreme Court for future broadcasting.
“We’re thankful that the recovery center is open,” Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell said. “We’re very appreciate of the work of Mr. Brandt and the common pleas court and the community in accepting this.”
The site is the former Medina Steak & Seafood restaurant, which has been closed since 2015. It was constructed as a stagecoach stop in 1858 by Civil War colonel and eventual U.S. Congressman H.G. Blake.
The location changed hands several times over the years and had been used as a “brothel, bookie joint, grocery store and saloon,” according to the website for the business that most recently occupied it.
For years, locals have speculated about the presence of “spirits” that remain inside the facility, which Brandt made a humorous nod toward during his speech.