A Taste of Kentucky Shines in Middletown Magazine

Exciting news, Kentucky family! We are absolutely thrilled to share a wonderful Taste of Kentucky milestone with you. Our very own owner, Karen Taylor, is featured on the cover of the April 2026 issue of Middletown Magazine!

Taste the heritage. Share the charm. Love the story. That is what we strive to do every single day. Seeing our passion for this beautiful state recognized by a beloved local publication fills us with immense pride and gratitude.

Whether you have shopped with us for decades or just discovered our store, you are part of our story. This magazine feature is not just about Karen or our team. It is a celebration of our incredible community.

Let us dive into the story behind the cover. We will reflect on our recent journey. Then we will look ahead at wonderful things coming your way.

A New Chapter in a 40-Year Taste of Kentucky Story

Every gift tells a story, and ours begins right here in Kentucky. A Taste of Kentucky has built a stellar reputation over four decades. For over 40 years, this store has showcased handcrafted treasures and gourmet foods. It also highlights the welcoming southern hospitality our state proudly offers.

In 2023, a beautiful new chapter began. Karen Taylor always cherished her visits to the store. She admired the unique, beautiful products on the shelves. That passion ran so deep that she and her husband, Rob, purchased A Taste of Kentucky. They bought it from the previous owners, John and Sherry Hassman.

"We knew the previous owners and I felt like we could do it," Karen shared with Middletown Magazine . "I’ve always loved the store. It has beautiful products and has always been great. They wanted someone who would move it forward. It felt right, so we bought it."

Stepping into a legacy business is a big responsibility. The Hassmans laid an incredible foundation for the store. Karen stepped in to manage day-to-day operations with a clear, loving vision. Her goal was never to change the soul of the business. She wanted to help it grow and reach more people. She hoped to welcome everyone who loves Kentucky as much as we do.

Preserving Heritage with a Modern Boutique Feel

When you walk through our doors, we want you to feel right at home. Since taking the reins, Karen and the team have refreshed the store's environment. They have worked tirelessly on every detail. We aim to offer a modern, clean, boutique feel. We also preserve the 40-year heritage that makes A Taste of Kentucky so special.

"I never wanted to change the core of who we are. I wanted to give it a cleaner look, more like a boutique," Karen explains.

We carefully curate every item on our shelves to reflect the true spirit of our community. We have expanded our product offerings to ensure we meet everyone's needs and price points. From exquisite home decor and classic souvenirs to engaging books and stylish apparel, we truly have something for everyone.

Our bourbon items remain a massive hit! We offer an extensive selection of everything a bourbon enthusiast could dream of. And speaking of customer requests, you asked, we listened! We noticed many of you asking for more wearable accessories. Little by little, we introduced a stunning new jewelry line. It sold beautifully, proving that listening to our customers is always the best business strategy.

Growing Beyond the Bluegrass

While our roots are firmly planted in local soil, our reach extends far beyond state lines. A Taste of Kentucky has seen incredible growth in both our e-commerce operations and our high-end corporate gifting programs.

Our website brings a Taste of Kentucky straight to your doorstep, no matter where you live. We pack every online order with care. Almost every product that leaves our shipping department features our signature tag. We also include a heartfelt thank-you card with our information. This ensures gift recipients know exactly where their special present came from.

Corporate gifting is another area where we love to shine. Local and national companies frequently contact us to create high-end gifts for their employees, clients, and partners.

Create your custom basket by choosing from the best of Kentucky. Our customized gift baskets are the heart of our corporate and holiday business. We coordinate every detail of each order. This includes massive orders for the Kentucky Derby or festive Christmas rollouts. We also design specialized collections for company milestones and celebrations. We blend gourmet treats, beverages, bath and body luxuries, and more. Each basket becomes a one-of-a-kind gift.

A Beloved Fixture in the Middletown Community

At the end of the day, our physical store at 11800 Shelbyville Road remains our beating heart. It is the center of A Taste of Kentucky. We are proud to be a long-standing fixture in the Middletown community.

Visitors travel from all over the country to shop with us. They love taking a piece of the Bluegrass back home. We also love seeing our local neighbors stop in before traveling abroad. They pick up special gifts to share a taste of their home state with the world.

"To my knowledge, the store has been in this location at least 30+ years," Karen notes in the article. "It’s a fixture here in Middletown. When they walk in, they talk about how beautiful the store is. We hear that a lot."

What keeps people coming back? It is our unwavering commitment to you. Customer service is not just a department for us; it is our entire philosophy.

"We love happy customers, building personal connections and relationships," Karen says. "Making a customer happy is our priority. We are so centric on customer service that it is second nature. If you take care of the customer, they will take care of you."

Join Our Celebration Today!

We are so grateful for our amazing customers, our dedicated employees, and our wonderful Middletown community. We could not have achieved this Middletown Magazine feature without your continued support and love.

We invite you to read the full article in the April 2026 issue of Middletown Magazine to learn more about our journey. You can discover our daily operations and our big dreams for the future.

Ready to celebrate with us? Come visit our store at 11800 Shelbyville Road. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. We open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sunday, we are open from noon to 5 p.m.

Prefer to browse from the comfort of your couch? 🛍️ Shop online at atasteofkentucky.com to get exclusive deals and find your new favorite Kentucky treasures! Notice any issues or need help putting together the perfect gift basket? Let us know! Call us at 502-244-3355 or email info@atasteofky.com.

Thank you for letting us bring the very best of Kentucky to your life. We cannot wait to see you soon!