News
Rooted in History, Roasted Ethically
JULY 2026
BY THE GUIDE TO KENTUCKY
A coffee shop can tell you a lot about a town. Some are grab-and-go spots. Others become unofficial meeting places where familiar faces seem to appear at every table. Lem’s Cafe in downtown Bardstown falls firmly into that second category. Opened in 2024 by Amanda Reed Ogilvie, the cafe was built around three simple ideas: coffee, community, and creation.
A Latte to Unpack Here
JULY 2026
BY THE GUIDE TO KENTUCKY
Walk into enough coffee shops, and patterns start to emerge. The black coffee crowd tends to arrive early, order quickly, and rarely needs a menu. They're practical, dependable, and slightly suspicious of drinks that require more than one adjective. If that sounds familiar, you'd probably feel right at home at Lem's Cafe in Bardstown, where the atmosphere feels refreshingly straightforward and focused on good coffee rather than caffeine theatrics.
Lem’s Café celebrates one year in storefront
June 23, 2025
BY KATELYN NORRIS
Lem’s Café celebrated one year in the business’ brick-and-mortar location while looking ahead to building community in downtown Bardstown.In June 2026, Lem’s Café has been thriving at its location on East Flaget Street. Ogilvie’s café recently was named Best Regional Coffeehouse and she celebrate one year of having the physical location.
Cameron, Romans visit Bardstown in Senate stretch run
May 16, 2026
BY PETER W. ZUBATY | THE KENTUCKY STANDARD
Democratic U.S Senate candidate Dale Romans, left, made a campaign stop Thursday at Lem's Cafe to talk with voters about his positions, and also picked up some baked goods from shop owner Amanda Ogilvie, right.
I Am Her hosts A Night of Hope
November 25, 2025
BY KATELYN NORRIS
Our Commonwealth’s IAmHer honored community members for their dedication to service during the organization’s A Night of Hope.
Bardstown Celebrates Juneteenth
June 21, 2025
BY KATELYN NORRIS | THE KENTUCKY STANDARD
“To me, it just means that there’s still improvements, there’s still progress to be made and that’s inherent to who we are as people. As Americans, we have to continue to grow. I think Juneteenth is a great holiday to [take a step back] and learn things that we don’t know. Then how can we use that to make a better future for us.” —Amanda Reed Ogilvie
Lem’s Café to open brick-and-mortar in Downtown Bardstown this summer.
May 20, 2025
BY AMANDA REED OGILVIE
Great-granddaughter of My Old Kentucky Home banjo player, Lem Reed, and Kentucky Black Trailblazer, Annie Reed, will kick off partnership with Bourbon City Kitchen & Trade Company this summer.
Chamber hosts third annual DEI conference
November 5 , 2024
BY KATELYN NORRIS | THE KENTUCKY STANDARD
"Local leaders, community members and business owner discuss the advancements in diversity, equity and inclusion across the county, while discovering how much progress still needs to be made."
Lem’s Café wants to create space for community
June 25, 2024
BY KATELYN NORRIS | THE KENTUCKY STANDARD
"Lem’s Café was created out of the love for community and passion for sharing the past. The pop-up shop’s founder, Amanda Ogilvie, is eager to bring her love for coffee to Bardstown, while honoring her great-grandfather, Lem Reed. Reed was the famous banjo player who greeted the tourists of My Old Kentucky Home State Park through the 1940s and 1950s."