Business of the Week
Every week, we spotlight a local business that makes Auburn and Opelika a great place to live. These are the people and places that make this community special -- the spots worth knowing about whether you are a longtime local or new to the area.
Lux Lab Studios
215 N College St, Auburn, AL 36830
Lux Lab Studios is a boutique fitness studio at 215 North College Street in downtown Auburn. The studio is known for its signature Lux Lab method, a low-impact interval training (LIIT) format powered by its custom-built Xformer machine. Classes run 45 minutes and combine strength, endurance, cardio, balance, core, and flexibility work into a single full-body workout designed to be modified for all fitness levels. The studio also offers Pilates-style reformer classes and private training sessions, with class times stretching from early morning into the evening throughout the week.
Spotlight
This week we're featuring Lux Lab Studios, a boutique fitness studio at 215 North College Street in downtown Auburn. The studio is known for its signature Lux Lab method, a low-impact interval training format built around its custom Xformer machine. Forty-five-minute classes combine strength, endurance, cardio, balance, core, and flexibility work with options for every fitness level, and it has become a popular spot for downtown-area workouts.
A new business is featured every week. Check back often to discover the best local spots in Auburn and Opelika -- community favorites worth knowing about.
Why this week's feature stands out.
Every business we spotlight has something that makes it worth a visit -- whether it is the quality of what they offer, their role in the community, or the story behind how they got started.
Signature Lux Lab Method
A low-impact interval training (LIIT) format powered by the studio's custom-built Xformer machine
45-Minute Full-Body Classes
Strength, endurance, cardio, balance, core, and flexibility combined into one efficient workout
Built for Every Fitness Level
Movements are modifiable so beginners and experienced athletes can train side by side
Downtown Auburn Location
On North College Street in the heart of Auburn, with class times from early morning to evening
Previously spotlighted businesses.
Coffee Mafia
An independent espresso bar at 414 South Gay Street in downtown Auburn. Opened in 2021 as the successor to Mama Mocha's, carrying forward that shop's Italian-inspired espresso tradition. Known for bold espresso and handcrafted drinks in a no-frills, welcoming space the owners describe as "if a coffee shop was a dive bar," brewing Mama Mochas Roastery coffee and offering outdoor seating.
Wright's Market
A family-owned grocery store at 603 Pleasant Drive in Opelika, tracing its origins to a small 1973 convenience store and grown to roughly 20,000 square feet under owner Jimmy Wright. Known for its full-service meat counter, fresh produce, and a delivery shuttle that carries groceries to rural communities up to 30 miles away, and honored as a 2019 Retailer of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association.
Fringe Consignment
An upscale women's and children's consignment boutique at 125 South 8th Street in downtown Opelika. Established in 2005, the shop fills more than 4,000 square feet with new and gently used women's clothing, teen and formal wear, shoes, designer handbags, jewelry, and accessories, and has been a steady part of East Alabama's consignment shopping scene ever since.
John Emerald Distilling Company
Alabama's oldest whiskey distillery at 706 North Railroad Avenue in downtown Opelika, set in a restored historic building in the railroad district. Known for producing the first legal whiskey in Alabama since Prohibition, with a tasting room, tours, and craft cocktails, and spirits honored at the American Distilling Institute and San Francisco International Spirits Awards.
Therapy Boutique
A women's clothing and lifestyle shop at 150 East Magnolia Avenue in downtown Auburn, at the corner where College Street meets Magnolia Avenue. Known for a curated rotation of weekly new arrivals across dresses, denim, coordinating sets, and loungewear, plus gifts, home goods, and beauty products, and a popular stop for Auburn game day outfits in orange and navy.
True40 Studio Auburn
A boutique fitness studio at 819 East Glenn Avenue in Auburn, part of the True40 franchise founded by Allie Weingarten. Known for its low-impact, high-intensity Fusion method, which blends barre, Pilates, strength training, TRX, and yoga into a single full-body class offered in Cardio, Fusion, and Express formats, in person and online.
Acre
A chef-driven farm-to-table restaurant at 210 East Glenn Avenue in downtown Auburn, led by James Beard-nominated chef David Bancroft. Known for sourcing ingredients from local farms and its own gardens, and for Bancroft defeating Bobby Flay on Food Network's Iron Chef Showdown in 2017.
Mama Mocha's Bodega
A small-batch coffee roastery in Opelika's Lebanon Art District at 715 1st Avenue. Founded by Sarah "Mama Mocha" Gill, starting as a roasting venture in the back of a used bookstore in Auburn before growing into a full roastery supplying beans to cafes across the Auburn-Opelika area.
The Depot
A modern Gulf-coastal brasserie housed in Auburn's historic 1904 train depot at 124 Mitcham Avenue. The first restaurant in Alabama to receive the James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Leader award for sustainable seafood, with an award-winning wine program recognized by Wine Spectator. Executive Chef and co-owner Scott Simpson won the 2021 Alabama Seafood Cook-Off.
The Hound
A family-owned downtown Auburn restaurant known for its Bacon and Bourbon concept, with all bacon cured in-house from heritage breed Berkshire pork. Operating since 2012 in the former Lee County Bulletin printing press building at 124 Tichenor Avenue.
Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers
An independent bookstore and coffee shop in the historic downtown courthouse building on East Magnolia Avenue, named after the original Auburn Oil Co. service stations from the 1950s. Known for a curated selection of books, author-themed drinks, and regular events.
Zazu Gastropub
A five-level restaurant in downtown Opelika housed in a historic building with exposed brick, reclaimed beams, and gas lanterns. Known for scratch-made Southern and American comfort food and credited with helping revitalize downtown Opelika's dining scene.
Stinson Breads
A downtown Opelika artisan bakery that started as a home sourdough project and opened its brick-and-mortar storefront in 2024, known for naturally leavened breads, European pastries, and named 2025 Emerging Retailer of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association.
Red Clay Brewing Company
A downtown Opelika craft brewery in a renovated historic warehouse, known for its self-serve tap wall with up to 17 rotating beers, house-made pizza, and live music.
Hamilton's On Magnolia
A Magnolia Avenue staple for over 20 years, known for its diverse menu spanning catfish, crab cakes, and seasonal catches -- located one block from Toomer's Corner in downtown Auburn.
Bitty & Beau's Coffee
A specialty coffee shop built around inclusive employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, located on Gay Street in downtown Auburn.
Toomer's Drugs
A fixture on Toomer's Corner since 1896, known for hand-dipped milkshakes and the iconic game day tradition.
Past features are archived here. Each business is featured only once within a 3-month period to ensure a diverse rotation of local spots.
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Each week a local favorite is chosen -- either one discovered organically or one recommended by the community.
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