BY SAM VISE | FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — In a city known for its vibrant energy and game day traditions, a new establishment is set to become a downtown Auburn staple. Southern Greens, a new bodega located at 156 N. College Street (where Halftime Sports Bar was previously located), is blending quick-service convenience with a fresh, wellness-focused approach.
More than just a simple grab-and-go counter, the space offers a peaceful escape for students and locals alike, with a bright, welcoming atmosphere that features natural light, a variety of plants and unique seating like swinging chairs.
“It’s a bodega and a gathering place,” said general manager Sommer Pope. “Our cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everything’s grab-and-go, but you can also enjoy them there, we have seating. It feels fresh and vibrant and very welcoming. It’s a place where people can come for a quick bite or just stay and relax if they want to. You can build your own smoothie or salad or sandwich. You can grab some starters, we have deviled eggs, pimento cheese and boiled peanuts. Then we do have salads; you don’t have to build your own salad or sandwich, but you can.”
Southern Greens is designed to cater to the fast-paced lifestyle of downtown Auburn while providing a healthy, made-to-order option. Patrons are encouraged to build their own salads and smoothies from an array of fresh ingredients, or they can choose from a menu of signature items.
Customers can also select from a curated menu of grab-and-go items from the fridge at the front, perfect for a quick lunch between classes or a convenient dinner. For those planning for the weekend, the bodega also offers game day trays, making it a new go-to for tailgating essentials.
“Our goal is just to give people quality, good flavor and healthy foods,” Pope said. “And just to create a fresh and welcoming space where people can just come and grab a quick bite and hang out if they want to or take it to go. We also have a tailgate menu.”
Pope said she is most excited for the deviled eggs topped with bloody mary sauce. They also plan to serve fresh juices, teas and lattes. Pope said they’ll serve energy infused drinks too, as the bodega is sponsored by Red Bull.
Southern Greens is owned by the same owner as Boulangerie French Bakery in Opelika, Jessica Rizzo. When the old Halftime space became available, Rizzo knew she wanted to open something fresh for the city of Auburn. She conducted a poll on social media asking what people would want to see most, and Southern Greens won.
The bodega plans to serve a few of the bakery’s signature pastries, like their croissants and homemade pop tarts. The staff from the bakery will likely be cross trained to work at the bodega as well, according to Pope, but she emphasized that they are not the same thing.
“Basically, Southern Greens focuses on fresh, customizable food,” Pope said. “So, the guests can build their own smoothie, salad or meal that fits their lifestyle, but they don’t have to. They can directly order from the menu. And it’s not just a bodega — it’s like a gathering place where people can come together. We have two large tables for people to gather at, then one small table and then the hanging chair. So, just a safe space where people can just come read a book or study or hang out with their friends.”
The bodega is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pope said they are considering staying open later for game days, but nothing is finalized yet. She also said they plan to do college meal plans for students at “affordable rates,” and they want to cater to Auburn University students as best as they can.
Construction on Southern Greens started a little over a month ago, and Pope has been pleasantly surprised by the amount of progress they made in such a short time.
“It’s been a process, like 12-hour days, but we wanted to open as soon as possible,” she said. “Auburn is special because it’s such a family-oriented town, that’s why I stayed here. The location means everything for us.”
Pope has lived in Auburn for 10 years now and said she is excited to serve the community.
“The most rewarding part for me is going to be serving all the happy faces,” she said. “I worked at Halftime when it was open, so seeing all the changes — everyone coming in and seeing how much work we put in to make it so beautiful … It’s going to shock a lot of people and jaws are going to drop. The college girls are going to eat it up and I can’t wait to see their faces. We provide comfort food — emphasis on comfort.”
Southern Greens joins a growing list of businesses revitalizing the downtown Auburn area, adding a fresh and healthy option to a food scene often dominated by traditional Southern fare. The new bodega aims to be more than just a place to eat; it’s a new community hub offering a vibrant, healthy and welcoming space.
For more information, follow @eatsoutherngreens on Instagram.
