JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – The Old Country Store at Casey Jones Village received two honors in Tennessee hospitality on September 17 at the 2026 Stars of Industry Awards.
The Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association named Jonathan Jenkins its Restaurant Manager of the Year and Ashley King its Restaurant General Manager of the Year.
The Stars of the Industry Awards are the highest honor the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association hands out. This award recognizes individuals and organizations across Tennessee’s hotels, restaurants, tourism attractions and destination marketing organizations each year.
Two generations of leadership
Jenkins, executive culinary manager, represents the second of three generations of his family to work in the Old Country Store kitchen. King, general manager, leads day-to-day operations at the restaurant, which has served guests at Casey Jones Village since 1965.
“The awards may say Jonathan and Ashley, but they also belong to every team member who shows up every day to take care of our guests,” said Brooks Shaw, third-generation president and owner of the Old Country Store and Casey Jones Village. “Jonathan and Ashley lead with heart, and this recognition from TnHTA reflects the standard they hold our entire team to.”
The awards also recognized excellence from around West Tennessee. Among this year’s honorees were Discovery Park of America in Union City, Discover Reelfoot, and Huey’s Restaurants in Memphis.
The Old Country Store, founded in 1965, is a family-owned Southern restaurant and tourism destination located at the intersection of I-40 and Highway 45 Bypass in Jackson, Tennessee. It is part of Casey Jones Village, a Southern hospitality and entertainment destination.
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Dining and Cooking