Behind the Glass, an Auburn shopping hot spot, celebrates its 20th
anniversary this month.
The boutique, located at 168 E. Magnolia Ave., recently
remodeled and has a fresh look. The store has combined the upstairs and
downstairs stores into a single shop.
“I like the new look of Behind the Glass,” said Katie Waitt, a
junior in pre-nursing. “Now that they display their clothes in the front
window, it’s hard to resist going inside.”
Behind the Glass has also changed its merchandise. The bottom
floor used to contain only gifts, but it now also houses clothes,
jewelry and other accessories.
“We don’t have as many gifts, but we’re still carrying all the
stuff everybody loves the most,” said Jenny Warren, the general manager.
Warren said the store will continue to sell candles, rugs and
other items that have always been the most popular.
“I love buying birthday presents for my friends from Behind the
Glass,” Waitt said. “It’s really fun to look around, and I like their
candles and birthday cards.”
Behind the Glass has also started selling men’s clothes this
season. It features French Connection for Men and other brands of men’s
clothing.
“I think it’s great that Behind the Glass has started carrying
clothes for men,” said Alex Bruemmer, a junior in interior design. “I’m
sure a lot of girls will shop for their boyfriends and themselves at the
same time.”
The store is also introducing new clothing lines for women.
Wish, one of the new brands, makes less expensive apparel. Warren said
that the brand has been very popular so far.
Other new brands include Brown Sound and Le Tigre.
Behind the Glass will be celebrating its anniversary with an
open house on October 3 through 5. During the celebration, it will be
giving away $15 to $25 gift certificates every hour.
The store will also give away other door prizes. Every time
customers buy something by the brand Free People, they will receive a
free gift.
“Free People is my favorite brand from Behind the Glass,”
Bruemmer said. “I definitely want to check out the open house.”
A DJ will play music and entertain guests while they shop.
Behind the Glass will no longer use the large room upstairs. The
store will display all items downstairs, along the stairs and on the
upstairs landing.
Warren said the store will eventually rent out the upstairs
room.
The store has undergone many changes since its opening in 1987.
Warren said the original store had a café downstairs and a bookstore
upstairs. The bookstore changed to an art gallery that displayed and
sold the work of local artists.
Although the store has changed a lot since its opening 20 years
ago, it continues to draw customers. With its new design, Behind the
Glass is aiming to continue its popularity for years to come.
