At a new coffee shop in downtown Opelika, it’s not just the drinks that are warm — the environment and the people are, too.
That’s what customers said draws them to Red Door June on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Ninth Street.
Pam Hope, who works down the street at Southern Crossing, comes in for the coffee and the company.
“They have a wonderful product that I am totally addicted to,” Hope said. “And I’ve gotten to know the owners pretty well. It’s nice to be able to come in and enjoy (the coffee) and talk to people, too.”
Karen and Rick Lanier opened the coffee and floral shop June 11.
“We knew we were going to open a flower shop,” Rick said. “She wanted to be downtown for sure. We saw it (the location), and we knew it was the spot immediately.”
Once they had the place, the Laniers set to work making it welcoming. The space was too big for just a flower shop, so they decided to add a section for coffee.
The shop’s unusual name has meaning behind it, Karen Lanier said. Red doors signify prosperity, health and wealth.
“And I wanted to name it after my mom (June), as well, so we stuck the ‘red door’ in front of ‘June,’” she said.
When the couple moved back to Opelika after more than 20 years away, they brought along Rick’s friend Dennis Smythe to manage the shop. He never pictured himself in Opelika, but the city and the store are growing on him.
“We are very, very happy here, and we’ve been very well received…” he said.
Ali Maloney, who works at the salon next door, visits the coffee shop at least twice a week, she said.
“I love the pastries for sure. That’s my favorite,” she said.
Both the customers and the owners are starting to settle in, Rick Lanier said. The people are one of the reasons they moved back to Opelika.
“We looked around at some different places, and we decided on this one,” he said. “It’s good to be home.”
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