What embattled entrepreneur and race car driver Eric Schwartz said he enjoyed most about the restaurant business were the openings, especially designing, refurbishing and decorating a new restaurant. He didn’t like the chronic financial struggle to stay in business in a highly competitive industry.
Schwartz, 49, who founded Upstairs Downstairs Deli with a partner at age 19 and has owned several other Madison restaurants, now runs Sara Investment Real Estate, where he does refurbishing and decorating without worrying about the food service.
The company is named for Schwartz’s wife, who he said always supported him even during the most difficult times. They have four children ages 9 to 16.