Stop By For Eats, Treats, And Antiques At This Historic Shop In Kentucky
By Andrea Limke|Published August 15, 2021
×
Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
If you grew up near Monticello, chances are you’ve heard of this historic shop in Kentucky. Or perhaps Monticello is just a town you know of because it’s on Lake Cumberland, or maybe you didn’t even know we had a town of this name in the Bluegrass State. No matter your perspective, you will come to appreciate the history and inherent charm of Dunagan’s Store in Monticello. (That’s the mailing address; many would consider it to be in Mill Springs.) This beloved shop has been cherished by previous owners and customers alike and it’s the perfect place to stop for delicious eats, treats, and to shop for antiques while stepping back in time.
There are many historic storefronts like this one scattered across Kentucky, but unfortunately, many of them are abandoned and even eventually torn down. That is what makes Dunagan's Store in Mill Springs so remarkable.
Built in 1890 and having passed through many hands since then, it was owned by the Dunagan family from 1935 to 2002. Everette Dunagan sold his beloved store in 2002 to a mother and daughter who have carried on the tradition of welcoming guests and customers with a smile.
You can actually read a detailed history of the store, told by Everette Dunagan himself who passed away in 2010, on the store's Facebook page. By reading his words, you can tell why this particular shop has lasted and why it is loved by so many to this day.
Dunagan's Store is now a place to grab a sandwich and some ice cream, walk across the creaky floor to a red bar stool, and chat with the owners about the history of the building. As of right now, it is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10am to 6pm, but you'll want to verify this on the Facebook page before planning a visit.
The food here is simple and the menu is short, but it's bound to hit the spot. And after a stop here, you can walk to historic Mill Springs Park, which is just across the street.
If you love antiques, you'll want to check out the collection at Dunagan's. There are also old photos and memories that tell the story of this historic shop in Kentucky.
While Dunagan’s Store may not be in the Dunagan family any longer, the current owners have taken the history and charm of this place, held on to its character, and are making new memories at this historic shop in Kentucky. Have you been to Dunagan’s? Did you visit it decades ago? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!