KY Is Home to the Oldest Same-Owner Country Store in America

Here I go again, singing the praises of small-town life in Kentucky. If you've read any of my stuff, I'm certain you've come across multiple stories that have given me the opportunity to honor the charming communities that populate the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Small Towns

Part of all that rustic charm lies in the businesses you find in your explorations. For example, itsy bitsy teeny weeny Rabbit Hash KY is more or less a wide spot in the road. But it's home to one of the oldest GENERAL stores in the country. And its mayor is always a dog. What's not to love?

Rabbit Hash

The Most Charming Town in Kentucky

And speaking of charm, what about the town deemed the MOST charming by Reader's Digest? That would be Paducah, but I might call it a small-ISH town; it's population is between 25,000 and 30,000. I'd say the large number of locally-owned shops helps it immeasurably with regards to this designation.

Penn's Store -- Gravel Switch

Now, if we're folding charm into "locally-owned," it might not get much better than the oldest same-owner country store in the United States. I'm talking about Penn's Store in Gravel Switch KY. (Could there BE a better small-town name than Gravel Switch? It's like something out of Green Acres.) Yes, this fully functional and quite popular old country store opened in 1845 and has been in the hands of the Gabriel Penn family since 1850. It has everything you want from an old-fashioned country store.

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Yes, Penn's Store has a Gravel Switch address, but it's actually located about three miles SOUTH of Gravel Switch on (conveniently enough) Penns Store Road. I'm not sure how often you're on U.S. 68 between Lebanon and Perryville, but if you are, you will see the signs.

Do yourself a favor and stop in.