Just like a rare gem found deep within the grounds of nature, you find The Cheesecake Cottage amongst the treasures of downtown Opelika.
The Cheesecake Cottage, located at 109 S 8th St., opened July 2011.
Tara Sanders, owner and operator, was an elementary teacher for several years before opening The Cheesecake Cottage.
"We love to cook and just thought we would give it a shot," Sanders said.
The Cheesecake Cottage features about 60 flavors of cheesecake that they created andoffer five to 10 of those flavors on a daily basis.
"The Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake was delicious," said Kelcey Coyne, customer. "It's the best cheesecake I've ever had."
Sanders said that many of the ideas for the cheesecakes are thought of by her children after eating candy bars or s'mores.
"Our popular flavors are red velvet, peanut butter cup, banana pudding and cookies and cream," Sanders said. "Those are probably our best sellers."
The most creative cheesecake that Sanders said she has made is the Italian Cream Cake Cheesecake, but they are pretty proud of the peanut butter cup cheesecake as well.
Sanders said that making the cheesecakes is about a two-day process.
The Cheesecake Cottage also offers a variety of homemade goods including fudge, toffee, pralines, turtles, cheesecake minis, cookies, brownies and homemade ice cream.
Sanders said she also caters events, bakes wedding cakes, takes orders and walk-ins and if there is any cheesecake that you would like, you can always call ahead and let her know when you are coming and she will be glad to make it.
Local restaurants in downtown also order cheesecakes from The Cheesecake Cottage including the Irish Bred Pub, Ma-Fia's Italian Ristorante and Pizzeria and Eighth & Rail.
"We decided to go with them based on customer opinion," said Jonathan Stripling, general manager of Ma-Fia's. "They are amazing people."
Stripling said that they used to get cheesecake from another company and decided to go local and just about every other table recommended The Cheesecake Cottage.
Both the Irish Bred Pub and Eighth and Rail said that they support the Cheesecake Cottage because it is a local business.
"People who know her know what to expect, but customers who don't have been positive," said Mike Patterson, owner of Eighth and Rail. "Her hazelnut layered cheesecake is a big hit."
The Cheesecake Cottage facility itself can also be rented and Sanders says that it is a great location for wedding and baby showers and birthdays.
The Cheesecake Cottage is open Tuesday through Saturday.
Sanders said that she would eventually like to expand The Cheesecake Cottage, even creating a chain.
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