For most of Tammi Tracy’s career, she has followed in her mother’s footsteps.
Tammi, the owner of Family Tree Consignment, worked for 20 years in home health before opening her store at 319 Wilkinson St.
“It was my passion taking care of senior citizens,” Tammi said. “My mom got me into doing that. She did the same thing, but for veterans.”
Tammi’s mother Edith Johnson, now deceased, also got her into second-hand shopping.
“She was big into auctions and yard sales,” she said. “I went with her all of the time. It’s in my blood.”
In 2006, Tammi quit the home health field and opened her consignment shop in a duplex. She lives in the other half of the building.
“I buy and resell. People bring in their things and I see if I think we can sell it for them and set them up a contract.”
Tammi offers a 50/50 consignment.
Jamie Barnes has been working with Tammi for the last three years.
“I’m her sidekick,” Jamie said. “She puts it together and I’m her keeper.”
On Fridays, Jamie does a Facebook Live video showing off all of the new items in the shop.
“We have good consignors and great customers,” Jamie said. “Whether you’re spending $100 or $10, we treat everyone the same.”
Items that don’t sell in the store are donated through various organizations. Tammi sends clothes to Africa and shoes to Haiti. Through the Pay it Forward program, she sends clothes to Appalachia.
“She’s a good role model,” Jamie said. “I love her.”
FRANK.: Describe your style.
Tammi: Eclectic, different and unique. I see things and see what it can be after we transform them.
We do furniture, clothing, home décor, jewelry and ladies fashions. We refinish furniture with my vision and my fiancé James Spence’s handiwork. He loves doing furniture. He has ideas too. He built me a kitchen island out of old windows. It reminds me of something from Cape Cod.
I look at stuff and know what it could be with a little TLC.
FRANK.: Where do you get the items in your shop?
Tammi: I buy items from yard sales, auctions, flea markets and online. I like colorful and unique pieces.
Jamie: You can’t come in here and buy two or three of the same thing.
FRANK.: When did Miss Mary the mannequin come on the scene?
Tammi: Miss Mary is the best advertisement ever. She’s very popular. She’s been with me about eight years. A friend told me that a gentleman who worked at Kroger had her, and I bought her from him. I put her in my Jeep and brought her home.
We switch her outfits out and her wigs. Someone stole her hand and returned it a year later. They set it back in the dressing room on a shelf. We were very excited. She came back with a tattoo.
FRANK.: What do you enjoy most about your shop?
Tammi: The customers and decorating. I know their lives and their history. I’ve seen customers’ kids grow up and get licenses and go to college. I have a lot of long time shoppers. I feel blessed.
The shop is always different and changing. Some customers just come in on Tuesday, because they know it will be different. We change things and switch stuff out over the weekend. I put new exciting things out everyday.
FRANK.: What do you like about Frankfort?
Tammi: This is my hometown. I love downtown. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. You can hear the church bells, birds chirping and the train. I love all the awesome people who walk up and down the street. It’s a cool place to live and work.
FRANK.: What do you say to first time shoppers?
Tammi: I’m glad you stopped in and now you’re family at the Family Tree.
