An Auburn tradition, the Amsterdam Cafe, has been working hard on expanding their restaurant for about the past year. It was a much needed expansion since the cafe had become a local hot spot and seating was becoming more and more difficult.

Amsterdam came to Auburn in the early 1990's but was sold to the current owners in 1998. The restaurants crowd begun to outgrow it's space and, due to it's overwhelming popularity among locals and students, Amsterdam decided to expand.

After a year long process Amsterdam has opened an new, larger bar area and extended it's seating. The new back room is also available to be rented for private parties. The vibe of this extension is mod and sleek.

Although the expansion has allowed Amsterdam to seat a greater number of customers at a time, the ability to hold more people has created a new problem for the restaurant- parking. The location of the restaurant creates some restraints for the parking situation.

Amsterdam is sandwiched between the BP gas station and a church. The few spaces in front are shared by the other couple of shops in the same building; thus, leaving no room for the hungry dinner goers to park.

Across the street from Amsterdam are a series of old Auburn homes that have been renovated and house many students of Auburn University. These houses are on a corner and they share a back lot which they have used for parking, a hammock and a fire pit. Amsterdam saw this as an opportunity.

The cafe has now rented the lot and are clearing it to create a small valet parking lot. William Izlar rents a house adjacent to the lot and is frustrated by what has happened to his back yard.

"I have loved this backyard because it has been a place for the residents of all five houses to hang out," said Izlar, "We've put a lot of work into this backyard and it's all gone to waste now."

"I understand that any company facing these economic times is willing to do what it takes to stay on top," said Izlar, "It's just sad that it has to effect the community negatively. Plus, I have hated being woken up at 6 am by bulldozers for the past week."

The fact of the matter is that companies are on the forefront of difficulties and desperate times call for desperate measures. Nobody was renting the back lot and, although it is quite an invasion of privacy, there is nothing that these residents can do.


Chris Goodson, another resident adjacent to the lot says that this is a prime example of "big business not caring about the little guy."

"This just seems to be another way to make a dollar," said Goodson, "I understand there situation, it just doesn't feel good when there are bulldozers in your backyard tearing up all of your trees and the fire pit that you have created."

Goodson and Izlar have room to be disappointed that this is what it has come to; and, luckily they understand that Amsterdam is doing what they have to do to get by.

It will be a nice addition for the restaurants guest to be able to have their cars valet parked and should help the issue of offering enough parking space to accommodate restaurant goers. This is the price some of the residents will have to pay to keep this traditional Auburn restaurant thriving.



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