BY MICHELLE KEY, PUBLISHER
MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — The year 2025 started off with the announcement of several businesses going out of business.
Local icon Tenda Chick closed after serving Auburn from its location at Glenn-Dean for more than 35 years. In a sign dated Jan. 1 and posted on the door, owner Brian P. Moore wrote, “It is with much sadness and a heavy heart that I must announce that Tenda Chick has closed for business. At least for now, maybe permanently.”
He cited struggles in the post-COVID economy as the reason.
“It was a real pleasure to have [the] opportunity to serve you each day… I treasure the friendships that developed with many of you over the years,” Moore wrote. “We are exploring our options to possibly re-open or revive the Tenda Chick brand in some manner in the future.”
On Jan. 3, Steven Bradford, owner of Foodies, posted on social media the Auburn restaurant’s closure.
“All of us a Foodies would like to thank everyone that has supported us over the past nearly three years,” the post read. “We appreciate all of the kind words and repeat visits. Due to the economy and such we have had to close. We do this with heavy heart.”
Although the store near the Auburn Mall will close, Foodies will continue to provide catering and accept orders for charcuterie boards, pastries, pies and cakes. For more information, contact foodiesauburn@gmail.com.
Also on Jan. 3, the area’s only indoor firing range, The Firing Pin, announced via an email that it would be closing at the end of the month.
“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors at the 2195 1st Ave., Opelika location,” owner Charlie Edwards stated in the email. “It has been an absolute pleasure serving you, and we are incredibly grateful for your support over the years.”
The shooting range will close, however the retail side of the business is moving to a new location, according to the letter: “Business will continue as usual through Jan. 31, 2025. After that, we invite you to visit our friends at Firing Pin Opelika at Madison Park off Century Boulevard starting the first week of February.”
National chains Party City and Big Lots have also announced they are calling it quits. “Going out of business” signs are posted in windows of Party City at Tiger Town and Big Lots on Opelika Road in Auburn. The stores are holding special discounts and sales to clear out remaining merchandise.
