Perk Up Java Shop

312 2nd St, Crawford, NE 69339, United States
+1 308-665-4122
$$$ Cafe
(57 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Perk Up Java Shop sits right on 2nd Street in Crawford and offers a cozy, welcoming spot that feels like a natural gathering place for locals and visitors alike. This is your go-to cafe when you want a no-frills, comfortable setting to linger over coffee or catch up with friends. The atmosphere inside leans toward warm and inviting, with quiet nooks perfect for reading or working away from distractions. Soft background music helps set a relaxed tone that draws you in for a while rather than a quick grab-and-go experience.

While Perk Up Java Shop carries the usual array of coffee staples—think hot lattes, Americanos, and espresso—they also put a bit of care into seasonals and specialties like vanilla chai tea and cold brews, all made with fresh, locally mindful ingredients. Their menu features iced and blended drinks that hit the right note for summer afternoons, along with homemade food options you won’t find everywhere, like spinach scones and house-made quiches. These kinds of savory bites add a nice balance to the coffee and make the cafe a solid choice for a light lunch or mid-morning snack.

The location tends to attract a mix of regulars, from students holding campus meetings to travelers passing through Crawford looking for a friendly coffee stop. A casual visitor might find themselves browsing local artisan goods displayed inside, giving the space a subtle marketplace vibe that ties it more closely to the community. This also makes it a nice spot if you want a thoughtful local gift or just enjoy seeing what’s new around town.

If you’re coming by, mid-morning to early afternoon is a sweet spot to visit—when the staff have a handle on the morning rush, and the crowd is more easygoing. The team behind the counter has a reputation for friendliness and small-town hospitality, which helps set Perk Up Java Shop apart from standard chains. Plus, they have a charming mascot, adding a touch of local character that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Overall, if your ideal cafe experience is one where the coffee tastes good, the food feels homemade, and the vibe encourages hanging out for a bit longer than just a caffeine fix, Perk Up Java Shop fits that bill for Crawford’s main street scene.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Good for working on laptop
What they serve
Coffee
Best for
Breakfast
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Tuesday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

07:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Saturday

07:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

57 Reviews
Melissa Markey

02 Jan 2026

This is a great experience! The vanilla chai tea was a sweet, hot and wonderful! They are serve homemade quiches, that look incredible too! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. They host student meetings , too.

Nicole Kuntz

19 Dec 2025

We were at Ft. Robinson for the 4th of July and we saw this cute coffee trailer outside the art show. Being from a big city, having a Dutch Bros and Starbucks close by everywhere you go, I wasn't sure what to expect, but an iced latte sounded SO good, I decided to try it. I have to have sugar free syrups, so I did a simple iced latte with SF Caramel and oat milk. It was hands down one of the most delicious coffees I have ever had! Definitely recommend!

Traci McClain

30 Nov 2025

A hidden gem in a small town that takes you back in time. Perk Up Java Shop warms your heart the moment you walk in the door. With soothing music and cozy nooks to settle into, it's a great place to catch up with an old friend or snuggle up and while away the time with a good book. You can also browse the many vendors and find a great gift for someone or yourself. The owners are on-site and always happy to recommend great local places to see. Local to the area they know all the best spots. Let's not forget Tuffy the friendly Corgi who takes his role as Official Greeter very seriously. He'll meet you at the door and guide you to the cah register and if you're lucky he might even show you a few tricks! All in all, a great place to spend some time. Highly recommended.

Sandy DeBano

25 Nov 2025

We stopped by last week, and loved this coffee shop! The coffee and food were excellent, the staff were super friendly, and they had a wonderful selection of locally-sourced gifts. I highly recommend stopping by if traveling through the area!

Brian Garey

25 Nov 2025

Stopped in while there on vacation and found great people, a super friendly mascot named Tuffy, and some really good iced lattes! Brian and Carrie were both really nice, genuine people like we're used to finding in small town Nebraska. Looking forward to stopping by anytime we are back in the area!

Jennifer McGill

15 Oct 2025

Don’t miss Perk Up if you’re in the vicinity! The world's best greeter, Tuffy the Corgi, will brighten your day, and the wide variety of drinks will wake you and your tastebuds up. I have type one diabetes, so I really appreciate that they have so many sugar free syrups to choose from, plus Truvia, instead of the pink stuff! Friendly, helpful staff - and delicious crust less quiche and muffins. Thank you very much! Keep up the great work.

Lisa F

07 Oct 2025

I love the Crawford wish it had more shops. Glad to find this coffee shop. Friendly and helpful. I also loved the detail of painted ceiling panels!

Nikki Garey

28 Sep 2025

This was a fun find on our vacay at Fort Robinson State Park this year (we found their brochure at the Park office). The iced coffee was delicious. It was great to meet the owners (Brian & Carrie (sp?)) and Tuffy was the best greeter ever! We will be looking forward to stopping here again next time we're in the area.

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