Bugtussle General Store has opened its doors after renovation

GAMALIEL, Ky. – The Bugtussle General Store has opened its doors after many years of being vacant.

“History is something that is always there but if you don’t pay attention to it, you lose it,” said Michael Pitcock, the co-owner of Bugtussle General Store.

The store was established in the 1930s. It was originally named A. R. Cropper’s Grocery by its previous owner, Alvin Ray Cropper. It was a trading market that sold to Nashville companies and beyond.

Ginseng, a yellow root grown by nearby neighbors in Gamaliel, was traded to Cropper and sold to Chinese companies. Cropper retired in the late 1900s. The store sat empty for nearly 20 years before the Pitcock family bought it and renovated it. The renovation took two years and cost over $100,000.

“My dad purchased this probably three or four years ago now.  It was collapsing, falling in, and the bones were a good, concrete building but it had not been occupied in several years,” Pitcock said.

He said when it went away, there weren’t many nearby stores.

“Realized that the community didn’t have anything. We didn’t have anything at all within 10 miles and it’s good for the community and its surprising actually how many folks come and trade with us already,” he said.

Mike said his father grew up in the town and that this spot was a community favorite. 

“To open this back up, he said he remembered buying a Pepsi cola for a nickel about 75 years ago,” he said.

From fresh produce to music, the store is continuing to grow and the family said they are working on keeping the history alive on Bugtussle road.

“It’s a place where some folks can pick some guitars up, and hang out and pick a tune, and have a good time and then we’ve got the regular groceries here and then we’ve got the basics, the basics. This is a simple place,” Pitcock said.

The store opened in early August with hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.