Tam's Place of Pullman is being sold says Moscow Pullman Daily News on 2/18/2015

Story by Moscow Pullman Daily News. Photos by Mac News.

Longtime owner of Pullman breakfast spot is selling business

By Josh Babcock, Moscow Pullman Daily News staff writer, 2/18/2015

Tam and David Shermer have prepared breakfast for Pullman and the greater Palouse area for more than 40 years as co-owners of Tam's Place, but they'll soon be hanging up their aprons for the last time.

After marrying in 1970, the two started working together at Perkins in Pullman in 1975, making early morning meals similar to those they serve today.

Then, in 1988, the two started their own business, Shermer's, a breakfast restaurant that once stood where the Thai Ginger Bar and Grill is now located. Tam and David moved the business to its current location and renamed the business Tam's Place in 2003.

The couple, though, is calling it quits after fixing Pullman breakfasts for four decades.

Michael Wagoner, the former owner of Zoe's Coffeehouse and neighbor of the Shermers, is planning on purchasing the building from the couple. Zoe's Coffeehouse was forced out of Washington State University's K-House on Dec. 31 when Wagoner's lease expired. WSU refused to renew the lease and instead will demolish the building and turn it into a parking lot.

All the two business owners can do now is wait for the banks to finish processing the sale. Bank officials told Tam on last week the sale could be finalized as soon as today.

Tam said she already knows what she's going to miss most about the restaurant.

"The people," she said. "I go to work so I can see people I know. It doesn't have anything to do with money."

For Tam, the switch to retirement is about family.

"I may miss some of the people, but I'm 68 years old. Come on, it's time to retire," she said. "I have six grand-kids and I don't get a chance to see them often enough."

Tam isn't the only one at the restaurant with family obligations.

"My husband's mother is 90 years old - he only sees her once a year," Tam said.

On top of not seeing the family, Tam said her husband needs surgery on his knee and working is only making his health worse.

Wagoner said his goal is to continue selling a good, full breakfast, and he hopes the success Tam's Place has had throughout the years will carry over for his business.

"(Tam) has a huge heart and that's what made her successful," he said. "... Nobody can fill those shoes, even if they're small shoes. Tam's Place is Tam."

Wagoner also plans to use the drive-thru that wraps around the building in order to increase his business' profitability.

While Tam's Place closes at 2 p.m., Wagoner hopes to extend the hours from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. He also is planning to setup a designated area for alcohol use in the business.

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