FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Awaken Bakery — our kitchen, our menu, ordering, and visiting us in downtown Bowling Green.
★★★★★ 4.9 Google ★★★★★ 5.0 Yelp ★★★★★ 5.0 Find Me Gluten Free Best of Bowling Green 2024

Allergens & Ingredients

Are you a dedicated gluten-free bakery?
Yes — 100%. Every single item we make is gluten free, and our kitchen is a dedicated gluten-free facility. There is no gluten in our building — ever. This means no cross-contamination from shared equipment, shared surfaces, or shared airspace with gluten-containing ingredients.
Is Awaken Bakery safe for people with celiac disease?
Yes. Our dedicated gluten-free kitchen means there is no risk of cross-contamination with gluten. We take celiac disease seriously — our founder was diagnosed with celiac in 2011, so this isn’t just a policy, it’s personal. Many of our most loyal customers are celiac, and their safety is our highest priority.
Do you have dairy-free options?
Yes. We always carry dairy-free options in our bakery. While our kitchen is not a dedicated dairy-free facility, we take care to offer clearly labeled dairy-free items. Ask at the counter or check the labels on our items for the most current options.
Do you have vegan options?
Yes. We always carry multiple vegan options in our bakery. Our vegan items are also egg-free. Look for clearly labeled vegan items in the case, or ask our team for today’s available options.
Do you have egg-free options?
Yes. We always carry multiple egg-free options — our vegan items are always egg-free. Ask our team if you need help identifying which items are egg-free on any given day.
Are you nut-free?
We are not a dedicated nut-free facility, but we use nuts only periodically and clearly label any item that contains nuts. We never use nut flour in our baking. We take cross-contamination seriously and take every precaution we can, and we welcome many nut-free customers regularly. That said, we cannot guarantee 100% nut-free safety for those with severe nut allergies. If you have concerns, please reach out before visiting so we can help you make the best choice.
Are you soy-free?
We are 99% soy-free and actively working toward being 100% soy-free. If soy is a concern for you, please ask our team about specific items before purchasing.
Do you have sugar-free options?
No, we do not currently offer sugar-free items. We use only regular sugars — granulated and brown sugar — in our baking. We do not use sugar substitutes or alternative sweeteners.
What kind of sugar do you use?
We use only traditional sugars — granulated sugar and brown sugar. We do not use any sugar alternatives, artificial sweeteners, or sugar substitutes in our baking.
Do you list ingredients for your items?
We’re working on making full ingredient lists available for all of our items. In the meantime, our team is always happy to answer ingredient questions — just ask at the counter or reach out before your visit and we’ll do our best to help.

Ordering

Can I walk in and buy, or do I need to order ahead?
Both! You’re always welcome to walk in and purchase anything available in the case. However, ordering ahead through our app or website guarantees you get exactly what you want before it sells out — and we do sell out, especially on Saturdays.
What time do you serve breakfast vs. lunch?
Breakfast is served from open until 10:30am. Lunch begins at 10:30am and is available until 30 minutes before closing. Check our hours to plan accordingly.
How do I order today's items for pickup?

You can order in three ways:

  • Our app — download the Awaken Bakery app (iOS or Android) and order with a later pickup time. App orders also earn you reward points.
  • Our website — order through www.awakenbg.com/order in your browser without downloading the app.
  • Walk in — come in and purchase directly from the case during business hours.
Do you offer delivery?

Yes! Delivery is available through our app (powered by DoorDash) for a flat $8 delivery fee. You can also order directly through DoorDash on their platform. Note that delivery is available for daily menu items only — custom orders are pickup only.

Do you ship?

Yes — we ship nationwide! Currently we ship bread and dry mixes (nothing that requires refrigeration). We’re working on expanding our shipping menu in the future. Shop shipping options here.

What is your refund policy?

We want every order to be exactly right. If something is missing from your order or you received the wrong item, please contact us the same day as your pickup or delivery and we’ll make it right. We may ask for a photo to help us identify and correct the issue.

We are unable to offer refunds or store credit for personal preference or items damaged after leaving our bakery.

For custom order cancellations and shipping issues, please see our full refund policy.

Can I modify an order after placing it?

For daily menu orders, please call us as soon as possible at (270) 551-4440 and we’ll do our best to accommodate changes depending on where your order is in the process. For custom orders, modifications must be made with at least 48 hours notice.

Custom Orders & Events

How do I place a custom cake or cupcake order?

Custom orders can be placed through our online shop or by calling us at (270) 551-4440. We do not accept custom orders via email or social media — though you’re welcome to reach out there with questions.

How far in advance do I need to order?

Custom cakes and cupcakes require a minimum of 4 days advance notice. That said, we book up quickly — we strongly recommend placing your order as early as possible rather than waiting until the 4-day window. We also keep a small selection of cakes in our retail freezer that are available without pre-ordering, but they sell fast.

Do you do wedding cakes?

We don’t do tiered wedding cakes, but we’ve been honored to be part of countless weddings. Many couples choose a beautiful 6″ or 8″ custom cake for the bride and groom to cut — gluten free and completely safe — while serving other desserts to guests. We’ve also supplied full gluten-free dessert tables for wedding receptions. If you’re planning something special, give us a call and let’s talk.

Do you do corporate or bulk orders?

Yes! We love serving offices, events, and corporate clients. Corporate and bulk orders are for desserts only (not breakfast or lunch items) and are arranged by phone at (270) 551-4440 or in person. All corporate orders are pickup only. Please plan ahead and reach out early — we want to make sure we can accommodate your order properly.

Can you accommodate allergy-specific custom orders beyond gluten free?

Yes. We can accommodate custom orders that are also dairy-free, vegan, egg-free, or nut-free. Please note your specific needs when placing your order so we can ensure your items are prepared with the appropriate care.

Do you offer tastings?

We don’t currently offer formal tastings. However, you’re always welcome to visit us in the bakery to try our daily menu items and get a feel for our flavors before placing a custom order.

What is your custom order cancellation policy?

Custom orders are paid in full at the time of ordering. Cancellations are handled on a sliding scale:

  • 7 or more days before pickup — full refund
  • 3–6 days before pickup — 50% refund
  • Less than 72 hours before pickup — no refund

When your order is booked, that date is reserved for you — which means we may turn away other orders to fulfill yours. We strongly recommend placing your order as early as possible.

If we need to cancel your order for any reason, we will contact you directly and issue a full refund. View our full refund policy →

Visiting Us

Where are you located?

We’re located at 300 E Main Ave in downtown Bowling Green, KYGet directions →

Is there free parking?

Yes — during our business hours, you can park for free in front of our Awaken Bakery signs in the parking lot. Free parking is available only during business hours and only while you are visiting us in the bakery. Outside of our business hours, the lot operates as a pay-to-park facility.

Do you have seating?

Yes! We’re a cozy space with seating available. You’re welcome to stay, enjoy your coffee, and take your time. We also have free WiFi if you’d like to settle in and work for a bit.

Do you have free WiFi?

Yes, we offer free WiFi for our guests.

Is Awaken Bakery kid-friendly?

Absolutely. Our food and atmosphere are very kid-friendly. One of our favorite things is watching kids walk in and realize they can pick anything in the case — no worrying about whether it’s safe. That moment never gets old. Note that we don’t currently have high chairs or a changing table.

Is Awaken Bakery wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Our downtown location features a step-free entrance with a ramp, accessible parking in our lot, and an accessible restroom. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions before visiting, feel free to call us at (270) 551-4440.

Can I bring outside food or drinks?

We kindly ask that you enjoy only food and drinks purchased from Awaken Bakery while in our space. This policy exists to protect the safety of our customers — keeping gluten and other allergens out of our building is how we stay safe for everyone.

The Awaken App

What does the Awaken Bakery app do?

The Awaken Bakery app lets you order ahead for pickup or delivery, earn reward points on every purchase, see what’s available before it sells out, and receive exclusive app-only deals and promos. It’s the easiest way to guarantee you get exactly what you want.

Is the app free?

Yes, the Awaken Bakery app is completely free to download and use.

Do I have to use the app to order ahead?

No — you can also order ahead through our website at www.awakenbg.com/order in any browser without downloading the app. However, the app is the only way to earn reward points and access exclusive app-only deals.

How do rewards work?

Every dollar you spend earns 1 reward point — and on Double Points Wednesdays, you earn 2 points per dollar. Points can be redeemed for dollars off future orders and free items.

When you sign up, you’ll receive 10% off your first order. You’ll also receive a birthday discount each year. Plus, we send exclusive app-only promos like $1 off lunch or 10% off your whole order throughout the year.

Where can I download the app?

The Awaken Bakery app is available on both iOS and Android:

Our Story & Mission

Who owns Awaken Bakery?

Awaken Bakery is a family-owned small business founded by Tiana Post and her family in Bowling Green, KY. Read our full story →

Why is everything gluten free?
Our founder Tiana was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2011. She knows firsthand what it feels like to lose access to foods you love — and she built Awaken so no one else has to feel that way. Our mission is to prove that gluten free can taste like the real thing, and that everyone deserves a safe place to enjoy truly delicious food. Read our full story →
What does "Awaken" mean?

Awaken is a name given to us by God. It represents a calling to create awakening in Bowling Green — not just in the way people experience gluten free food, but in faith and community. Everything we do flows from that calling. Read our full story →

t

Still have a question?

Can’t find what you’re looking for? We’re happy to help.