December 2023 Press Release (4)

Inaugural Breakfast With Mrs. Claus Introduces Remodeled Wellwood Store to Old Country Store Guests

Jackson, Tennessee — (Dec. 21, 2023) — Three-year-old twins Liliana and Sophia Goodrich experienced pure holiday joy when they met Mrs. Claus and her cheerful elf helpers, who held the sisters for a photo taken by their mother, Elizabeth, during the inaugural Breakfast with Mrs. Claus in the Wellwood Store at Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store Saturday, Dec. 16.

The sisters were among more than 75 Guests who gathered for the event. Mrs. Claus, the elves and a catering team served them bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, grits, fruit, potatoes and apple fritters in the newly renovated and relocated Wellwood Store. The store, lined with antiques, was moved earlier this year from the north to the south side of the restaurant to accommodate the drive-thru expansion of the Dixie Café. The Wellwood Store will now serve as additional event space to accommodate more restaurant Guests.

Third-generation owner Brooks Shaw expressed his excitement about hosting the first Breakfast with Mrs. Claus event. “We were thrilled to see our newly remodeled space filled with joyous children, writing letters to Santa and meeting Mrs. Claus and her elves,” he said. “The overwhelming response and sold-out sessions highlight the timeless appeal of such cherished traditions. Our Christmas events reflect not only our commitment to honoring our historic charm but also our dedication to the continued growth and enrichment of the Old Country Store experience in the years to come.”

As holiday music played in the background, families, most dressed in Christmas attire, enjoyed quality time together. Grandmother Tamara Overton filmed her grandson as he ate and stuffed his Christmas-wish list into a red Letters for Santa mailbox held by Mrs. Claus. “We’re empty nesters, so we enjoy having the grandchildren around,” said Overton, who, along with her husband, Kermit, brought their four grandchildren. “We make ornaments together, and I prepare finger foods.” The Overtons expressed gratitude for the time spent with family during this Christmas season.

The Taylor family added Breakfast with Mrs. Claus to their list of Christmas activities after attending the Polar Express event at the Casey Jones Museum with their 2-year-old son, Liam. “It’s good to have something to do in Jackson; it brings excitement,” said Tiffany Taylor, who took notice of the new space at the Old Country Store. “It’s nice to see the growth.”

Generations sat together at some tables during Breakfast with Mrs. Claus, as was the case for Sarah Simpson, who brought her 6-year-old daughter, Ivy, and her mother, Lynn DeBerry. Ivy had her best friend with her, making the day extra special as they worked on Christmas lists to give to Mrs. Claus. “She wants a camera and four walkie talkies,” Simpson said with a laugh.

Ashley King, who portrayed Mrs. Claus, spent the morning delivering plates of food, greeting Guests and collecting letters for Santa from the children. “They’re all good kids,” she said. “They’ve been giving me the pictures that they colored.”

The elves, Mairin Muñoz and Charity Warden, enjoyed bringing joy to the children at the breakfast and truly got into character when engaging with them. Before leaving the breakfast, the Goodrich twins offered the elves candy before jumping into Muñoz’s and Warden’s arms for a photo. “The time with the kids is what we’ll remember most about this day,” Warden said.

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus is part of a series of Christmas activities and celebrations taking place in December at the Old Country Store and Casey Jones Village. The Polar Express in the Casey Jones Museum has one evening remaining Friday, Dec. 22, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 23, from 8:30-11 a.m. Tickets are $10 for children ages 2-10 and $15 for children and adults 11 years and up; children under 2 are free. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum or online at caseyjones.com/store/events/.

Two additional family events will be held leading up to Christmas: A Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, in the Village Chapel at Casey Jones Village, and the 39th annual Christmas Eve Breakfast from 5:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.

Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, located at 56 Casey Jones Lane in Jackson, Tennessee, is a multi-faceted destination encompassing the restaurant, Miss Anne’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Miss Juanita’s Gift Shop, and the Dixie Café for takeout or dine-in. The establishment is gearing up to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025. For more information, visit instagram.com/caseyjonesvillage, facebook.com/oldcountrystore, caseyjones.com, or call 731-668-1223.

Photo captions

1. (l to r) Mairin Muñoz (elf), Ashley King (Mrs. Claus) and Charity Warden (elf) helped serve 75 Guests during the inaugural Breakfast with Mrs. Claus in the newly remodeled Wellwood Store. 

2. Mrs. Claus spent the morning collecting children's wish lists in a little red mailbox that read "Letters to Santa." 

3. Mrs. Claus spent the morning collecting children's wish lists in a little red mailbox that read "Letters to Santa." 

4. More than 75 Guests gathered for the inaugural Breakfast with Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Claus, the elves and a catering team served bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, grits, fruit, potatoes and apple fritters in the newly relocated and renovated Wellwood Store.