Hometown Hauntings: Exploring the haunting of 440 Main

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - 440 Main Restaurant has been around for about 30 years and has an extensive past of other businesses before, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city.

The building once had a banquet hall, where people would come to dance. One of those individuals was a young girl named Mary.

One night, Mary was dancing and having a little too much fun when she fell.

It’s unclear whether she fell down a balcony or stairs, but Mary has become a household name for 440 Main.

General Manager Amanda Gilich says some staff members have had their own experience with Mary.

“Mickey, one of the other former owners, has told us stories that she’s experienced,” she said. “As for me, little stories, I think most of the time when I’m closing the restaurant, I’ll sometimes like catch a shadow or just a weird feeling, but I’ve never had anything randomly pop up or appear.”

Mary is believed to be a friendly ghost who enjoys reading. Gilich says Mary still has a collection of books at the restaurant that no one is allowed to touch.

“On the other side of the bar behind us, there is a closet that leads to an Airbnb. In that closet, there is a permanently locked door that has her books that we’re not supposed to touch,” Gilich explained. “Those are her books and will remain there permanently.”

The restaurant encourages anyone to stop by for a tour and see if they have their own Mary experience.

“Whenever anybody comes in town, I definitely recommend asking us to come upstairs and check out our banquet room, and then let us know if you have an experience with Mary herself,” Gilich said. “A lot of people have said they’ve seen a figure in a gown that glows a little bit. So we’d absolutely love for you to come check out the tin ceilings and the building itself and see if you have an experience.”

For more information on 440 Main Restaurant or to book a reservation, visit 440main.com.