Well Red to open new shop in closed Coffee Cat location in Auburn

Well Red Coffee, Books & Wine, a hotspot for Auburn college students and locals, announced that Well Red’s story will continue with a new addition called The Fox. The shop announced this on its social media on March 27 and is expected to open around April 15, 2024.

Coffee Cat

Coffee Cat announced its permanent closing on March 31 on their social media. It has been a welcoming space for all since it opened in 2014. It has been one of Downtown Auburn’s coffee and snack staples for nearly a decade. The shop sold wares from local vendors and artists and stayed open till 1AM on weekends. The Fox is not yet certain if this practice will be continued.

Coffee Cat hosted a farewell party March 29 where customers, students, employees and musicians filled the chill and earthy venue to celebrate the community Coffee Cat helped cultivate and nourish.

Maddie Corbeau, the owner of Coffee Cat, gave her patrons pieces of the beloved shop – plants, decor, furniture and more.

“Coffee Cat was the first coffee shop I ever visited as a freshman at Auburn. I’m a junior now, and they have consistently stayed my safe space for the last few years. If I ever felt claustrophobic in my room or at my apartment, I’d go to Coffee Cat and would somehow feel more at home. While I’m sad to see them go, I’m happy to see how much they’ve impacted my growth as a student and as a person at Auburn.”

Kasha Mato-Toyela, Auburn University Student

The Fox + Well Red

Several of the former Coffee Cat employees will be joining The Fox’s team, so prior regulars of the shop will still be seeing familiar faces.

The Fox will be the third addition to Richard and Crystal Tomasello’s coffee shops. They opened the first Well Red on Opelika Road in 2020. After the success of the first location, the Tomasellos annouced Sept. 2023 that they would be opening a second location on Donahue Drive. They hope to open the Donahue Well Red in June 2024.

The Fox is taking a different approach from its Well Red counterpart. Instead of selling books and wine like Well Red, The Fox plans to focus on coffee, tea and pastries.

Hours and more details on The Fox are to be announced.

• The Fox future location: 124 Tichenor Ave, Auburn, AL 36830
• Original Well Red location: 223 Opelika Rd Auburn, AL, 36830
• Well Red’s announcement post
• Website | Facebook | Instagram

Want to learn about more must-visit coffee shops in Alabama? Check out 8 locally-loved coffee shops in Alabama—see who made the list

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