Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Today, we are visiting the oldest country story in America!
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Penn’s store is located in Gravel Switch, Kentucky
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Penn’s Store has been in business for over 175 years!
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Dawn is the current, 6th generation, owner of Penn’s Store!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Some of the items in the store have been here as long as it’s been open
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Because this store has been kept in the family since the 1850s, so much of its history has been kept and shared with visitors from all over the world ever since!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Antique and vintage pieces line the walls and shelves of Penn’s Store
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Most of the items in Penn’s Store are for sale. Some, however, are not and remain there as a marker of the long-standing Penn family history.
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
On any given weekend, you’ll find locals and visitors alike gathering here
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
I visited on a chilly day, so Dawn had the antique coal stove burning and it kept the room very warm for us!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Old cash registers and calculators are sometimes still used here!
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
It’s amazing to see how little this store has changed over the century plus time it has been open. It’s a little piece of untouched Kentucky history!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
This is a photo of the owners before the Penn’s, some time in the 1850s
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
While it’s known that Penn’s Store is at least 175 years old, it may be even older! The Penn family took over ownership in 1855 and this store is thought to have been in business years before then.
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
This is a painting of the Penn’s store grounds decades ago
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
This store is a piece of history to more than just the Penn family. Visitors, reporters, artists and other walks of life come from around the world to see this store, experience its rich history and, sometimes, create a painting of it!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
There are many articles, books and videos showcasing the rich history here
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Dawn keeps all materials here that involve the Penn Store. There are books, photos, postcards and more that she is proud to take the time to share and explain to visitors like myself!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
This is a beautiful professional phot taken of the front of the store
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Dawn explained that reporters and media personnel come to the store year-round to see it in person, photograph it, and share it with the world!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
This is the old coal stove still in use to keep the store warm in winter months🔥
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
It was nice standing around the cozy fire and chatting with the locals who all see Penn’s Store as an integral part of their community.
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Jeanne Penn, Dawn’s mother, is framed above the stove to the left
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Before the Dawn, her mother Jeanne was the previous owner and caretaker of Penn’s Store. Dawn took over after her passing in 2018.
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Dawn’s great-great grandfather used to be the town doctor
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Some of Dawn’s great-great grandfather’s items that he used for his medical practice are still on display on a few of the shelves here!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
This store still functions as it always has, as a store for locals & farmers
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Your typical modern-day provisions can be found here today! Laundry detergents, over-the-counter medications & more!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
It’s easy to spend a long time in this store admiring all of its history
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
I spent 3 hours here talking with Dawn and local passers-by, listening to music and browsing the amazing antique items on display.
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Dawn is not only the store owner, but a talented musician as well! 🎶
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
This is one of the best music showcases you will EVER see! It was incredible sitting and listening to Dawn and her neighbor, Dino, sing and play guitar for a small group of us.
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Dawn & Dino sat and played a few wonderful songs for us
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
This was my favorite part of the day. I can see why all of the locals spend time here. It’s a great place to relax, socialize, and spend time creating music & memories!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Dino has lived in the area since the early 2000s and was a joy to chat with
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
This is an original song written & performed by Dino, one of the locals that lives close to Penn’s Store!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
What a memorable experience at Penn’s Store! I can’t wait to visit again!
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
There is a true sense of community here and visitors are welcomed into it with open arms!
Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism
Penn’s Store is only open on weekends so come on a Saturday or Sunday!
257 Penns Store Rd
Gravel Switch, KY
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Penn’s store hours: Saturday 1pm - 5pm Sunday 1pm - 5pm