This rural Kentucky store is celebrating 130 years as an unassuming countryside must-see

A lot has changed at the Newby Country Store, located near Jigg Water in northwestern Madison County, since it first opened in 1891.

It’s seen 11 different owners during its lifespan and spent time as both a general store and post office. However, one constant has always been the store’s service to the rural community it calls home.

Locals flock to the store not only for its specialty sodas, jams and jellies, handmade soaps, candy bars, bag lunches, gift baskets, sandwiches, gasoline and other wares. They also come because it’s a central gathering place for neighbors to discuss their lives and the news of the day.

But it’s not just the locals that love the grocery, which claims that it’s “one of the only true country stores left in Kentucky.” According to co-owner Ashlie Hatton, the unassuming countryside stop has had visitors from as far away as Michigan.

“Our locals sustain us, but on the weekends most of our visitors come from other counties and states,” said Hatton. “There’s a lot of people that really seem to enjoy these small country stores, and there are so few left. There’s a lot of nostalgia, almost like turning back time, that places like our’s offer.”

That community is what led Ashlie and her husband Brad Hatton to purchase the building when it came up for sale in February 2020. After moving here in 2014 from Florida, the couple quickly caught on to the store’s significance in the community. When it came up for sale they jumped at the chance not just to own it, but to save it as well. The store and building was under the threat of closure because it didn’t meet modern day building codes.

“So many parts of this building are grandfathered in,” said Ashlie Hatton. “Things like the gas pumps being right up along the road and the lack of indoor plumbing wouldn’t have been allowed had the store closed and tried to re-open at a later date. We bought it mainly to save the structure and keep the business alive, but since then things have taken on a life of their own.”

One of those “things” was an electrical that fire destroyed their neighbor’s trailer. The Hatton’s quickly launched a fundraising campaign, raising enough to put Royce Simpson in a new home on the same plot of land.

“(Royce) has been a great neighbor to us. He really watches over the store and our employees,” said Hatton. “He lost everything… his wallet, glasses, everything. The Newby community has always been tight knit. It’s a big reason why this store has lasted so long. We knew we needed to help.”

The store and community came together again Nov. 20 when it celebrated it’s 130 year anniversary. The event included barbeque, a vintage tractor display, a photo booth, ring toss, corn hole and other games plus live music from John Lovern, Tina Taylor and Derek Isaacs.

“We are incredibly blessed to be a part of the Newby community and the store’s legacy,” said Hatton. “To be able to experience the 130 year-mark has been amazing.”

Newby Country Store

Where: 435 Newby Rd., Richmond

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Online: NewbyStore.com