The Bodegas, a series of shops in the Midtown apartments, are new to the Auburn area and are ready to take on the college scene.
Having opened up in August of this year, the Bodegas are a collection of small, hut-style buildings off of Opelika Road.
Here, people can find small businesses local to the area including Ross House Coffee, Kakozy, Cup and Saucer, the Drive-by Breakfast gourmet food truck, Mylks Cookies, Lily Jane Boutique and O’Town Ice Cream.
There are also a few new shops on the way those of which include Auburn Derma Lab, The Auburn Popcorn Company and Frou Frou Flowers.
Rachel Christian, an employee of Ross House Coffee, described the origins of Ross House.
“We are a coffee shop that started about seven years ago when we took over Toomer’s Coffee on S. College Street, and we ended up becoming our own brand and starting Ross House Coffee about three to four years ago,” she said.
Christian said Ross House first became an establishment when Toni Holt, the owner of Ross House Coffee, purchased a house off Ross Street to turn into a coffee shop.
“It’s now a historic home on Ross Street across from the fire department and police station [next to 160 Ross]… And then we expanded now to the Bodegas and we’re loving it over here,” she said.
Katie Klein, the owner of Kakozy, described her shop as “a vintage clothing shop that sells sneakers, denim, T-shirts and pretty much all of your favorite retro-wear.”
New to the Bodegas, Klein said her excitement on finally having a storefront, as her shop’s previous way of selling merchandise happened online and through a pop-up trailer.
“We restock the inventory weekly, so there’s always new items coming in,” she said.
Klein said they also host trade days where people can bring their old clothes and find new ones.
Another Bodega shop, Cup and Saucer, makes its mark on all things casseroles.
“Lisa French started the company in 2004 making [and] selling casseroles in her kitchen located in the garage of her home,” said Hayden Lightfoot, an employee at Cup and Saucer.
Lightfoot said French outgrew a home-operated business and started the location on Opelika Road.
Cup and Saucer is a spot for grab-and-go lunches, premade casseroles or both.
“The most popular item is the Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole and the chicken salad sandwiches for lunch,” Lightfoot said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
