A change is coming where the railroad meets 8th Street.
Eighth & Rail, a dessert cafe and tavern in downtown Opelika, has been sold to new ownership.
"I started the business with my wife at the time," said former owner Richard Patton, "and she and I went through a painful divorce the past two years, so it's kind of a bittersweet place for me to come in and out of."
Patton said he is planning a fresh start with a new music venue.
"It felt like it was the right time to do it and move on to something else," he said. "I love business and live and original music, and it's time for me to move to my next phase after 10 years."
He isn't moving far, however, as the location for his new venture is just across the street from Eighth & Rail.
"We're not exactly sure where we're going to start, but we do know we want to do some type of live music venue there that's going to be more of a live music hall," Patton said. "We'll hopefully be able to do bigger shows and things like that."
Patton said he is also hoping to build living and restaurant space, too.
"I think a big music venue would be great around here," said Katie Thorne, senior in psychology. "I know students would like it. It would probably get more of us out in Opelika."
Cathy Penton, owner of Souther Crossing gift shop on Opelika Main Street, said the area has undergone many changes since she opened her shop.
"We've been here about 15 years, and we were the first store downtown," she said. "There was nothing down here. It was a ghost town. It's a more interesting place."
Penton said the shops and restaurants have helped fill Opelika at night and on gamedays with customers from out of town and from Auburn.
"It's wonderful to come downtown at night and see all the parking spaces full," Penton said.
Patton said he is unsure what will come of Eighth & Rail.
"They have bought the business and bought the name and everything," Patton said. "They can keep it going as Eighth & Rail if they so desire, but they're not sure what they're going to do yet."
However, Patton said change is inevitable.
"I know that if they do keep it open they'll probably make some changes," he said. "Additionally, they thought about doing something new like adding some type of food into the place, but that's all speculative, and they're still working on their plans also."
For those who want to see Eighth & Rail as it is, Patton said they still have time.
"New Year's Eve is my last night," he said. "So we'll go out with a bang and they'll take over in January."
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