Pappy’s returns

When Pappy’s Beer and Wine was closed earlier this year, it was a bittersweet loss to the community, as Pappy’s was a beloved institution for over three decades.

New owner Jana Stover and her staff got the store ready for a soft opening, held Aug. 18.

She has no relation to the former owner, but she is a lifelong patron of the establishment and saw the opportunity to keep its legacy alive.

Stover’s relationship with Pappy’s is indicative of how a small business can have a positive effect on the people in the community.

She fondly recalled a special trip to the store during the Christmas season back in 1993, where her and some friends walked to Pappy’s for some beer.

“Not knowing if it was open, we walked down the railroad tracks through Shawanee in the nicest snow, soft, thick and quiet. Pappy’s was open, of course!”

Stover stated that what attracted her to Pappy’s in the first place was the simplicity of it just catering to beer and wine and the beautiful landscaping and upkeep that made it unique and attracted pleasant wildlife.

“I can remember when you pulled up, you could see eight or nine finches just fly away…it was always just such a nice place to come to,” she said.

Stover stated that Pappy’s will now feature a point of sales system that will help them with tracking inventory, cutting down on paperwork and making it more convenient for customers. There will also be mild remodeling done to the counter and Stover has plans to revamp the wine area with tin and barn wood.

Most of the previous employees will also be returning to work, keeping the friendly faces customers are used to. Stover stated that she wanted to keep the close business relationships Pappy’s has cultivated over the years.

“We didn’t come in here a go ‘let’s go to Knoxville and find our support system,’ we’ve kept our support system here…we want to keep it here. We want to continue that. It’s important. We’ve got a lot of work to do to continue to provide everybody with the love they have for coming here…they’ve passed on the torch and we’ve got to do it,” she said.

Stover stated she plans to have a grand opening event on Labor Day, when free hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided.

Reach Tyler Eschberger at 606-248-1010, ext. 1126 or on Twitter @TylerEsch89.

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Tyler Eschberger | Daily News New owner Jana Stover sits at the newly refurbished counter at Pappy’s.

http://www.claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_pappys2.jpgTyler Eschberger | Daily News New owner Jana Stover sits at the newly refurbished counter at Pappy’s.