In the heart of downtown Auburn, The Collegiate Hotel and Staks Pancake Kitchen stand as two
examples of what it means to come home and give back to the Auburn community. Owners
Brian and Kim Wirth first met as students at Auburn University, where their love for the town
began. Like many Auburn alumni, they carried the dream of returning one day. As Kim fondly
puts it, “For most students, you spend four years trying to get out of Auburn and then the next
twenty-five after that trying to come back.”
Seven years ago, that dream became a reality. When Wittel Hall, a former Auburn dormitory,
went up for sale, Brian and Kim saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave corporate
America behind and retire to the town they loved. From that moment, The Collegiate Hotel was
born.
The hotel’s charm lies in its unique blend of tradition and creativity. Designed to reflect both
Auburn’s history and its vibrant community, The Collegiate captures the spirit of Auburn through
thoughtful, unexpected details. Guests are greeted by an eagle mural made entirely of sequins
in the lobby and a striking tiger mural on the front porch, a nod to Auburn’s Greek life and
beloved traditions. Every corner of the hotel tells a story, making it not just a place to stay, but
an experience to remember.
After opening The Collegiate, the Wirths realized their guests—and the community—needed a
cozy breakfast spot downtown. That’s when Staks Pancake Kitchen was born. With Staks, Brian
and Kim extended their vision of hospitality beyond hotel guests to locals and visitors alike,
creating a warm, welcoming place where good food and good company meet.
One of their favorite parts of owning small businesses in downtown Auburn is the opportunity to
reconnect with old friends and forge new relationships. As they put it, their work allows them to
live at the intersection of past and present Auburn memories. And when they say they run a
family business, they truly mean it. When The Collegiate first opened, it was all hands on deck.
From painting walls to managing small construction projects, the entire Wirth family pitched in to
bring their dream to life.
Today, both The Collegiate Hotel and Staks Pancake Kitchen reflect what Auburn is all about:
family, friendship, and a deep sense of community.
Next time you’re in downtown Auburn, stop by The Collegiate for a rooftop view or a mural
selfie, then head over to Staks for a hearty breakfast. Whether you’re a student, alum, or visitor,
you’ll leave feeling like part of the Auburn family.