Best selling items include the croissant sandwiches, which includes chicken salad sandwich and healthy start Panini sandwich, biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls.
The shop also offers specialty cakes. Brate makes her own icing.
“My experiences came from family,” Brate said. “My mother and stepfather owned Peerless Mill Inn. I left the restaurant after I graduated from college and taught elementary school for 11 years.”
Brate has been married to Eddie for two years, and the couple has six children. The entire family participates in the restaurant.
“I was born and raised in Germantown. I graduated from Valley View and so did my husband,” Brate said. “We’re local people. Business has been very good. The town has been very supportive. We have a very busy lunch.”
What: The Perfect Wife, 16 W. Center St., Germantown
What the business does: "We serve breakfast and lunch. Most of our sandwiches are made on the Panini grill and we have fresh soups every day. I make everything fresh every day. We have a bakery as well."
What makes the business stand out: "Everything is homemade and fresh, and you can taste that. I use all my own recipes that I have collected. I don't have anything fried; everything is grilled or baked, and nice and fresh and healthy."
How the business started: "I started as a caterer, which I still do. I went onsite and cooked. I also did upkeep and that is where the name came from. I was everyone's perfect wife."
Interesting fact: "When customers come in they will see me and I'm the one cooking their food. I'm the only one who cooks; I am there all day."
Upcoming goals: "We would like to try being open for dinner a few nights a week in the summer. We're also still trying to grow in catering."
Contact information: Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; Phone: 371-9808; Website: www.wix.com/alyj1114/the-perfect-wife.
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