*sigh* If only you guys had been around in Paintsville's heyday back in the early 80's, or as us old fogies call it, "Pre Wal-Mart." Downtown was an event of its own. For shopping you had kid's clothing, men's clothing, women's clothing (all different stores). You had a shoe store, record store, department store, general store, etc.. You could get a burger and a shake at either G.C. Murphy's or Big Sandy Drug. You could buy comics off the spinner racks at Big Sandy or down at the Sundry Store (I now own the spinner rack that used to be in the drugstore). Friday nights would have a crowd gathered outside the Sipp Cinema waiting to get in for the new movie that week. Malcom's diner would be busy every Saturday night. And, when you were in middle or high school in Paintsville, lunchtime would consist of racing downtown to get pizza at Giovanni's. It wasn't five years after Wal-Mart arrived that most of that died and the downtown buildings filled up with attorneys' offices (we called it "Law-Mart"). I am glad to see Paintsville bringing businesses and entertainment back, but, lord, do I miss those childhood days.
We love hearing about the nostalgia of these towns! There's been such a rich history everywhere we go. Thank you for sharing some of those memories with us!
I grew up in Paintsville in the 60's and 70's and I miss those days horribly! My first kiss was at the Sipp Cenima, and I have so many other memories of the town. I moved away after my momma passed away when I was 14. I will be 61 next month. It is so nice to go back in time even if it's with a photo.
I love painstville ky..I have to family graveyards there..the brown cemetery and the preston cemetery. M.C Bug preston former chief of police for painstville and Sherif of Johnson County was my great great grandpa
I graduated from Central in 88 I remember the Apple bowl that year we be Paintsville plus we beat Paintsville in the basketball in the districts! We used to have a blast back in those days in Johnson County! I remember old Mark McKenzie LOL my name is Kyle Fannin
