Spencer’s Coffee

Perk yourself up at Spencer’s Coffee, a welcoming cafe in an 1870s building in downtown Bowling Green. Back in the late 1800s, the city streetcar passed right outside, bringing visitors from the steamboat landing and the railroad station. And from 1924 to 1979, this building was home to JCPenney—before the era of the shopping mall.

Exposed brick, wood floors, and an Italianate exterior reveal this site’s long legacy. There are plenty of tables, so you can enjoy an iced matcha and biscuit sandwich while you work or study. Or watch the activity at Fountain Square from the counter by the tall arched windows. If you’re looking for something sweet, a cream cheese danish, cinnamon roll, or Nutella croissant is sure to hit the spot.