Picking Auburn University as the college to spend some of the best years of your life is a no-brainer. The campus, Greek life and the notorious “Auburn family" are a few things that made me take the bait and I was reeled in with our recruitment of the Gus Bus (War Eagle). But if you are like me and enjoy an afternoon out shopping instead of spending hours enduring the chaos of doing it online, you might have wondered while filling out your admittance application -- where in this small town known as “the plains" am I going to shop?
It didn't take long to hear about Behind the Glass. Being a prominent store in Auburn since 1987, it has been selling merchandise and making its mark on the college town for 27 years. What most people don't know is that when it first opened there weren't clothes being sold behind the glass, it was food! The local boutique was once a café on the ground floor set in a gallery featuring local and regional artists, photographers and potters. The chicken croissant was a fan favorite amongst sorority girls and REM even dropped by one night for dinner! Throughout the years, the store took on different roles and a different name selling books, clothing jewelry, shoes, gifts and home décor items. In 1998 the café was closed and Terra (the name at the time) began to look like Behind the Glass does today. In 2006 the store rebranded itself as Behind the Glass and has been a clothing boutique ever since.
So the history of Behind the Glass is unique and is well loved by anyone who enjoys a successful local business story designed by the creativity of its owner, Donna Young. But what about the fashion?
The boutique is situated in the heart of our beloved college town in a very rural area giving Auburn the name “the plains". Our rivals have mocked us in the past by calling us a “cow town" (I'm talking to you, Alabama) but Behind the Glass could make even the most die hard Bamer change their mind.
The boutique is anything but small town and provides the style and variety of a big city boutique. The selection of flirty, boho, sophisticated and quirky merchandise are certainly not plain. Walking in the front door you are greeted by two stories of texture and color; a mixture of bohemian free-spirited style and polished sophistication. The only thing that will snap you back into your small town reality is the smiling staff member greeting you at the door reminding you just how charming a small town can be.
Edgy to Elegant. Boho to girly. Behind the Glass has more than just clothes, shoes and jewelry. It allows you to mix it up and express your own style. Not to mention the gift ideas and other small novelties inspired by the stores history of selling home décor and books that makes Behind the Glass interesting to all ages.
I might be biased because I have worked at Behind the Glass for two months, but one look in my closet will prove my love for the items in the store and the brands Behind the Glass carries. So don't fret about those shipping and handling fees, Behind the Glass will give you the big town shopping experience in the small town you know and love, no middle man about it.
