Three States Printing, a staple of the community, has been around for over 100 years — 106 to be exact. Recently, they moved to a new location in the heart of downtown Middlesboro on Cumberland Avenue. The story of Three States Printing is one of adaptation and growth.

Founded in 1912 by H.T. Chappel, the business was originally a newspaper located in Hazard. Eventually, the business moved to Middlesboro where it adopted the name “Three States Newspaper.”

Three States was in the newspaper business until 1955. Chappel passed away and his two sons shifted the business into a printing service.

The business has been handed down from owner to owner over the years and is now being ran by Penny Smith, who has been in charge since 2008 after having worked for the previous owners for 27 years. She retired in 2007 and came back to it a little later.

The new location has given the business better foot traffic as well as provided a more convenient space to work in.

Penny’s husband and business partner, Frank Smith, hopes that Three States Printing being downtown will encourage other local businesses to follow suit.

“It is and will be a big addition to downtown,” he said.

Three States Printing is a commercial printer, and they do anything from t-shirts, embroidery, hats, signs, banners, flags, lamination and more.

“Just about anything you can think of that can be printed we can do,” said Smith.

While the business has been serving the local community throughout its life, they do have clients as far reaching as Harlan, Knoxville, Tennessee, Lexington and into Virginia.

Smith stated they are currently developing an updated website for the business.

“We’re developing one, but I’m very picky about what I want on the website,” she said.

As of right now, the business is active on Facebook.