Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton
Many Walker County locals frequent Jasper Package Store on Walston Bridge Road for its wide selection. However, most find the real value in the friendly face behind the counter.
For nearly seven years, Tammie Simko has been the bright, welcoming presence that greets everyone who walks through the store’s doors.
Tammie has lived in Jasper her entire life. Before finding her place at Jasper Package Store, she had only worked one job at a gas station in town. Then, a phone call from her cousin changed everything.
“My cousin, who worked at the MRI center next door to the store, called me and said, ‘Hey, they’re opening a liquor store next door, come run it,'” Tammie recalls with a laugh. “I was like, ‘I don’t know anything about alcohol!’ and she said, ‘You don’t have to know anything; you can learn.’ So, I did, and I’ve been here ever since.”
From the very beginning, Tammie’s love for people was evident. Though she didn’t know much about alcohol initially, she quickly became a local expert, especially in wine.
“Wine is really my thing,” Tammie says proudly. “No one else that works here understands wine like I do.”
And while she might not be a big drinker herself—more of a taster, as she puts it—her deep knowledge and genuine care for her customers have made her the go-to person for all things alcohol-related in Jasper.
As such, it’s no wonder that people have started calling the store “Tammie’s” instead of Jasper Package Store.
“I don’t own the place, but everyone associates me with it,” she laughs. “We’re going to get a neon sign like our open sign that just says ‘Tammie’ and lights up when I’m here.”
Her days at the store are filled with laughter, conversation, and a steady stream of loyal customers who have come to see her as much as they’ve come to shop.
“Even if I’m having a bad day, you’re not going to know it,” Tammie says. “I like to be someone that makes other people happy and shows them kindness. I think that’s what keeps them coming back.”
Outside of work, Tammie enjoys indulging in a bit of retail therapy. “My weekends are my shopping time,” she says with a grin. “Sundays are my big shopping days.”
After a busy week at the store, she enjoys nothing more than some well-earned time to herself, exploring the shops and finding new treasures.
Tammie’s warmth and infectious positivity have made her an irreplaceable part of the Jasper community. Whether she’s helping someone choose the perfect bottle of wine or simply brightening their day with her cheerful demeanor, Tammie Simko is more than just the face of Jasper Package Store—she’s the heart of it. WL
