The sky is gray, the air is biting, and you’re sure you just caught a whiff of impending snow. It’s the time of year when we’re all extra grateful for our earmuffs, mittens, and the puffs of warm air emanating from the stores we’re hurrying past while Christmas shopping.
But hold on a second. Why hustle your way through the holiday season when you could slow down and spend some time warming up in Williamson County’s coziest spaces instead? We’ve rounded up six of our favorite spots to defrost our noses—whether it’s through the steam from a mug or the heat of a roaring fire.
The Good Cup | Franklin
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The Good Cup was my neighborhood coffee shop growing up in my cozy little corner of Franklin, and although it may seem tucked away, it’s always filled to the brim with ladies lunching, local politicians catching up with their constituents over hot cups of Ethiopian blend (it’s the best one), and families sharing chicken salad sandwiches and spectacular ambrosia, IYKYK. The food and coffee are shockingly good, the mismatched seating contributes to the coziness, and there’s an added bonus of a little retail area with local goods that make for perfect gifts when you’re stuck on what to gift a friend or family member. Next time you find yourself in Downtown Grassland, make a worthy detour for a good cup here. And as a bonus, the Perfect Setting boutique next door is impeccable for holiday shopping.
Mama’s Java | Nolensville
When you need a dose of the good ole days, Mama’s Java is the place to be. Think: retirees gathering for their morning coffee and regulars ordering their, well, regulars every day for lunch. The coffees are just the start of the excellence here—the robust breakfast and lunch menus are both filled with café classics like soups, sandwiches, and stuffed biscuits, and the tables filled with old photos kick the coziness up several notches. They air-roast their own coffee right behind the glass in the shop, and the atmosphere of peace and tranquility makes it clear why this is a favorite among locals.
Landmark Booksellers | Franklin
By now, I’m sure you’ve heard Franklin compared to a Hallmark movie more than once, but did you know that Landmark Booksellers was the inspiration for an ACTUAL Hallmark movie? Well, it was a book first: The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury, which was adapted to a cozy Christmas film in 2016. Needless to say, the historic bookstore is as cozy IRL as the book makes it out to be at Christmas (and beyond). If the stately sign boasting “Old, Out-of-Print, Rare & Some New Books” doesn’t draw you between the towering columns, maybe the yellow lamplight spilling out of the wreath-clad doorway will. Inside, pipe smoke mingles with the slightly musty smell of reread books and the fresh ink of those waiting to be cracked open. Grab a title from a stack on the coffee table and sink into one of three leather sofas, or settle into the plump, book-patterned armchair nestled into a nook alongside the staircase. You’ll find yourself losing track of time back in the deep shop, where the only sounds breaking into the still air are the tick of a pendulum wall clock, the shuffle of feet on wine-colored rugs, and the slow flipping of pages.
1819 Coffee | Thompson’s Station
As soon as you round the corner into the small alleyway that runs between 1819‘s greenhouse-esque space and its manor, you’ll be hit with the unmistakable scent of coffee. Step inside the dimly lit, windowed room, and it’ll amplify, along with the classic sounds of a coffee shop: baristas bonding with customers over the newest signature drinks, the hiss of the espresso machine, and breathy music playing over it all. While midday is marked by work-from-homers tapping contentedly on their laptops, the evening brings friends hugging and chatting, people decompressing over pastries, and a friendly deliveryman leaving with a cup of joe in hand. The room’s low light, dark-painted windowpanes, a plethora of rich green plants, and brick floor invite this intimate feel. Tuck yourself at a window-side table next to a flickering, plastic taper candle and a Christmas tree covered in gift requests from those in need. Or opt for one of the bright, airy rooms inside the manor, where the coziness instead comes from the quiet; the well-loved, indented leather chairs circled up around a grand, though not lit, fireplace; and the aromatic evergreen that’s draped over its mantle.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery | Leiper’s Fork
You don’t have to be a fan of whiskey to be a fan of Leiper’s Fork Distillery. As a professional bourbon and whiskey writer (yes, really), I can confirm they make an excellent spirit, but the distillery itself is the definition of cozy: the stills and barrels are housed in a stunning barn with a twinkling chandelier strung above, the yard is dotted with Adirondack chairs and fire pits, and the occasional food truck is parked out back feeding the revelers. In colder months, they often serve hot whiskey-based drinks to warm you right up. Tours are available and include a sampling in their tasting room, where you can learn about their small-batch production using local ingredients and limestone-filtered water. This summer, the brand opened a satellite tasting room in downtown Franklin, Leiper’s Fork Distillery’s House of Spirits, that deserves an honorable mention.
The Moore-Morris History & Culture Center of Williamson County | Franklin
Something about a gallery exudes coziness to me, and The Moore-Morris History & Culture Center of Williamson County kicks it up a notch thanks to its historic setting. Exposed brick and old wood floors transport you back in time while you read about the county’s history, winding through interactive exhibits and replicas of Franklin icons like the theater marquee. Housed within a National Register of Historic Places building dating to 1905—which originally was home to White’s Tavern & Inn back in 1803 and later served as the county jail—the center tells the story of the people, places, and events that make up the fabric of our community. You’ll leave with a greater understanding of our collective past and, hopefully, a renewed appreciation for the historic spaces that comprise this sweet little town.
