Bringing the traditional big city coffee shop experience close to campus, Magnolia Coffee and Tea Co. offers a spot to study, relax or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Located on Magnolia Avenue across from the Lowder Business Building, Magnolia Coffee and Tea Co., which opened Nov. 6, provides students an alternative to the library.
"It's handy to just walk across the street because all of my classes are in Lowder," said Megan Miller, junior in business administration.
Magnolia Coffee and Tea Co. features desserts and beverages made from local ingredients.
Beth Topping, the primary owner, graduated from Auburn in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in English and earned her master's in English in 2010.
Topping said since Cambridge Coffee closed in 2009, there has been a need for a similar "community" where regulars can come and converse.
"Opening a coffee shop is something I had always wanted to do, and the opportunity arose," Topping said.
She and Richard Blackmon purchased the property next to Firehouse Subs and began remodeling the inside. New counters were built, and the fluorescent lighting was replaced by mood lights.
All the coffee and espresso is made exclusively and roasted locally for Magnolia Tea and Coffee Co. by Sara Barnett of Mama Mocha's Roastery.
The house blend is based on traditional grain coffee made with the shop's espresso blend and organic ingredients.
Flavored coffees, such as pumpkin cheesecake and hazelnut, are picked, roasted and mixed with all-natural flavors.
They are then packaged in airtight containers and roasted again with flavor-impregnated beans to ensure the best flavor possible.
A light roast named Java Judah is also available, as well as Bear Mace, a dark French roast.
A decaffeinated blend is offered for coffee without the buzz.
The espresso bean, named "smoking jacket" by the shop, is used in the lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos.
Specialty lattes like the Zebra Tux Mocha and the Almond Rocha White Mocha are made with Ghirardelli chocolate syrup.
For 50 cents, customers can add any of the eight other latte syrup flavors.
Mike Leigh, senior in theatre and a barista at the shop, said he makes lattes with "latte art," a pattern on the surface of the latte made by pouring steamed milk into two shots of espresso.
The shop's baristas were trained by Barnett to use a four-group espresso machine.
For coffee-free options, Magnolia Coffee and Tea Co. serves chai lattes, Ghirardelli hot chocolate and premium Harney and Sons teas.
Premium tea bags are available for $3 and regular tea bags for $2.
The hot chocolate is made with a Ghirardelli chocolate mix and Ghirardelli syrup. White, dark and milk chocolate syrups are also available.
The desserts sold each day come locally from Gourmet Tiger.
Red velvet cheesecake, New York cheesecake, pumpkin spice scones, fudge brownies and lemon bars are a few bakery items offered.
Magnolia Coffee and Tea Co. is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and parking is located behind the building.
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