Restaurant, business openings in the Auburn-Opelika region

This year has been filled with various new restaurants, stores for people’s convenience and places to start new hobbies such as boxing. 

As 2023 comes to an end, take a look back at the many new businesses that opened in the Auburn-Opelika area. 

Buc-ee’s: Buc-ee’s opened its new Auburn convenience store on April 10 at 2500 Buc-ee’s Boulevard. It is known for its multitude of gas pumps, record-holding bathrooms and fresh brisket sandwiches. 

Bunkers: Bunkers, a new Auburn restaurant with a cocktail bar and indoor golf simulator, opened at 250 West Glenn Ave. on Nov. 13. It’s 9,000 square feet and offers immersive sports game simulators featuring golf, football and more. 

Pet Supplies Plus: Pet Supplies Plus, one of the largest pet retail stores in the country, opened its new Auburn store at 1716 Opelika Road. The store, which opened on Oct. 20, offers a variety of product choices for pet owners like full-service grooming, self-wash pet stations and more. 

Tiger on the Green: Tiger on the Green opened it’s miniature golf course/restaurant in Auburn on Oct. 23. The golf course at 2601 East University Drive has six-inch holes over an 18-hole layout. Players can also retreat into the restaurant built on the property to enjoy a variety of sandwiches, snacks and drinks. 

Burlington:  Burlington, a national discount retailer, opened it’s Opelika store at 2746 Enterprise Drive, between the Kohl’s department store and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The store, which opened on on Oct. 27, provides high-quality, brand-name clothing, comfortable finds for kids, pet care and toys, home decor and more. 

Barberitos: Barberitos celebrated the official grand opening of its new downtown Auburn restaurant the week of Oct. 16. The 234 North Gay St. location celebrated with a giveaway raffle on social media to have a chance to win free Barberitos. 

Milo’s Hamburgers: Milo’s Hamburgers opened in Auburn at 1850 Shug Jordan Road on Nov. 9. The new restaurant features a drive-thru, designated online/app pick-up area and indoor/outdoor seating. 

Jack Brown’s Burger and Beers: Jack Brown’s Burger and Beers opened its downtown Opelika restaurant at 160 North College St. on July 24. The restaurant has 15 different varieties of hamburgers with specials that change each day of the week, and they also feature around 120 different beers. 

The Saloon: The Saloon, a new Auburn bar at 138 North College St. opened on March 16. The bar offers Tex-Mex lean, customizable daiquiris and SEC-inspired food items. 

Staks Pancake Kitchen: Staks Pancake Kitchen opened its Auburn restaurant May 30 at 145 Magnolia Ave. The brunch restaurant offers pancakes, French toast, biscuits, salads, wraps, burgers and more.

Rusty Barrel Cigars and Liquors: Rusty Barrel Cigars and Liquors opened a downtown Auburn store in February. The store at 200 West Ave. Suite 500 specializes in harder-to-find selections and also sells more scarce finds like Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace. 

Target: Target opened a new department store in downtown Auburn opened on July 16 at 200 West Ave. Suite 500. The store is 19,000 square feet with living spaces and a 42-space parking lot. 

The Mix: On Sept. 1, the Mix opened a women’s boutique in downtown Auburn at 152 North College St. It prides itself on offering “a mix of styles, sizes and prices as well as a personalized shopping experience from women of all ages.”

Opelika Rage Room: The Opelika Rage Room opened at 1510 Second Ave. in July. It allows guests to break items in a controlled environment and includes a splatter room where guests can throw around neon paint. 

Rumble Boxing: Rumble, a boxing-inspired workout studio, opened its first Alabama location in June at 2528 Enterprise Drive. Located in Tiger Town, the studio focuses on high-intensity strength training and group-focused workouts. 

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza: After almost 20 years, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza returned to the Auburn-Opelika area and celebrated its grand opening in downtown Opelika on July 31. In the past, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza has occupied at least two locations in the Auburn area. 

Don Julio’s Mexican Grill: Don Julio’s Mexican Grill, a family-owned restaurant, opened in Auburn at 1888 Ogletree Road on May 22. The restaurant offers Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican foods.