Coffee, Kids, and Community: Inside Spearfish’s Jitter Joint Play Café

In the heart of downtown Spearfish, Jitter Joint Play Café has quickly become a go-to spot for families since opening in June 2024. The idea was simple: create a space where kids could play freely and parents could enjoy a good cup of coffee without the usual chaos. What started as a dream is now a bustling hub of laughter, lattes, and little feet running wild. 

The concept was inspired by a text between family members. “My daughter-in-law was at a place down in Colorado Springs and just offhand texted me one day and said, ‘We should do one of these,’” said co-owner Jennifer Hovdenes. From there, the vision took shape. Angela Porter, Jennifer’s daughter and now co-owner and marketing coordinator, was attending Black Hills State for business and entrepreneurship at the time. She turned that offhand idea into a full business plan. What followed was a long search for the right building and the support to make it all happen. 

That support included financing through the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s SD Works program, which helped the Jitter Joint team bring their space to life. “There’s been no limitation to help,” Angela said. “There’s always someone willing to answer a question or connect you with the right person. That’s one of the best parts about doing business in South Dakota.” 

Now, Jitter Joint is a thriving café and play space for kids ages 0–12. “Parents can come in, sit up front, have a cup of coffee, chat and converse,” Angela said. “Kids can come in the back and do whatever they want—climb, craft, build a fort out of foam blocks. It’s just a safe space where they can enjoy being together.” The café features beans from local roaster Spearfish Coffee Roasters, and regular community collaborations include art classes, partnerships with area nonprofits, and events supporting local families. 

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive—and busier than expected. “We thought it was going to be mostly day passes from families, but we’ve seen so much interest from daycares and larger groups,” Angela said. “Birthday parties have become a huge part of our schedule too—something we didn’t see coming but absolutely love.” Jennifer added, “It’s evolving, and that’s what we were hoping for.” 

Since opening, Jitter Joint has grown into a local favorite for families. It’s a place where kids can have fun, parents can relax, and the community can connect. And for the team behind it, that’s exactly what they hoped for. 

Ready for coffee, community, and kid-friendly fun? Visit Jitter Joint Play Café in downtown Spearfish today!