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General : Question Number 2
Full text of Steph Farber's Answer
2. If the new Tacoma City Council could do one thing to help increase the number of downtown retailers next year, what would it be
This is a serious question.
We have a wonderful city with valuable neighborhoods and shopping districts. But I would suggest that any city needs a core that the entire community recognizes as it’s center. Think of New York and you think of the Theater District or 5th Avenue. Think of Chicago and it may be the Loop. San Francisco might be Moscone Center. Los Angeles has no center and there is no really unifying icon, save for the freeways, and those just take you to where ever you aren’t. It really isn’t a city. And without some kind of unifying icon, can the public have a sense of belonging to anything?
During the darkest days of this community when drug gangs ran the streets and crime was really high, Tacoma had no such place. Downtown was pretty much emptied. And Tacoma wasn’t much of a city either.
The community-led restoration of the Pantages was the start of what we now call the Tacoma Renaissance. Crowds leaving a show at the Pan chased away the gangs in a way that police cruisers could not. People reclaimed our streets. The Pantages restoration was followed by the saving and restoration of Union Station, the establishment of the U W Tacoma campus and our collection of first rate museums. And these entities brought visitors and shops to serve the visitors.
The result of our decades-long redevelopment of our downtown is that people now have an image of Tacoma that is healthy, interesting and enticing. Events ranging from a spontaneous 9/11 memorial to the First Night Celebration on New Year’s Eve occur with ease as we have truly developed a sense of “place” here. Historically, however, the City of Tacoma government fixates on the newest “toy”, the newest, hottest district, and will help promote it. Then they will be seduced by another area. The Theater District has been a wonderful success for the entire community. But then the City will look to the Museums and in lavishing its attention on that area, will let the Theaters languish. Then we move on to the LeMay Car Museum, but only for a while. Then the Foss. Then the Dome District. But each time the focus shifts, the previous love gets abandoned. This works well enough for hormone-crazed teenagers but is unsightly and unwise for urban design and development.
I would ask the City not to do hit-and-run district development but to keep a stead hand on the promotion of all of our Downtown.
If you step back and look at the kind of shops we have you will see an abundance of owner operated, small businesses. Walk in to any one of them and you will find knowledgeable people willing, even anxious to help you. They are helpful because they love what they do, and on a basic level, they need to satisfy their market because often their life savings are tied up in their business. And these businesses survive and prosper because they provide goods that are hard to find elsewhere.
Great service. Engaged owners. First rate products. It is hard to find that combination elsewhere.
And yet, there seems to always be a yearning on the part of City Leadership to bring us the Big Box experience. We saw that years ago when the dream of Multiplexes and Urban Outfitters helped decimate Antique Row. They try over and over again to coax a Nordstroms or Banana Republic to open a store in the Downtown, and forget the value that our home-grown business have.
I would encourage the City of Tacoma to recognize the treasure we have in our small businesses and to quit wasting money on outside consultants who promise to bring “real” retail to our streets. Instead, invest just a small part of that wasted consultant money in helping to promote what we have here already.
Link | Posted on 3. December 2007, 01:20
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What big box has made an attempt in the last 2 decades to move dt??? I don’t really think any has…..give up on the small time retailer making downtown a destination. You need some big box to get the small time guys to succeed beyond the typical 2 years…….show me how successful the small time local businesses have been downtown….show me……it has nothing to do with the council supporting the local businesses….get over this please….its all about SUPPLY and DEMAND……if there is plenty supply of crap, don’t worry about demand there won’t be any…the demand is for retail stores that people can actually use and recognize…noone likes going to Tacoma mall…I drive to DT seattle to do my shopping…….much better experience….you can have the local guys, but you need the recognizable names to get people on feet……please, please get over this small town idea…….we won’t succeed dt with retail until some bigger guys are let and encouraged to come in………please, show me one dt that has grown to be a dt of a city with just the small time retail……show me……..please…….and after you search and search and search maybe you will come to your senses…..this attitude continues to plague tacoma……its is very sad……when are people going to realize you don’t loose your identity just because you have some big retail in town…it’s the people that make the city…..not the outsiders that decide to take a chance on putting some retail in a dt that thirsts for REAL retail……….this whole issue is killing downtown…..please wake up…..why??? why??? are people so scared of the outsiders….you think we locals can do a great job developing…hmm..how’s Prium doing lately…..enough said……..this town is it’s own worst enemy…..I pray for the day that the developer from Portland that purchased the Elks gets started….I pray that this developer is able to convience the narrow minded people of Tacoma that outsiders aren’t a bad thing for a thirsty city….please……please hurry, we’re hanging ourselves…..
1 | Posted by rich | Dec 3, 08:45 PM
“show me how successful the small time local businesses have been downtown….show me”
Ok I’ll start:
Leroy Jewlers – forever
10+ years
Spagetti Factory
Swiss
Buzzard’s Discs
The Rock
BKB
Gassi’s Flower and Gift
Harmon
Blitz & Company
Sanford and Son
Club Silverstone.
The Watermark
Ravenous (maybe not ten but close.)
The over two year list is around 75-100 businesses with out going to the expanded Downtown.
The expanded downtown would put the number over the 200 mark.
This issue is support the people who are here before spend thousands to bring in big box stores.
Last spring Wal-Mart was inquiring about property downtown. It does not get much bigger box retail than that.
If it takes a Wal-Mart moving down town to get you to shop downtown, then drive to Auburn.
2 | Posted by Vidiot | Dec 4, 12:50 AM
During the darkest days of this community when drug gangs ran the streets and crime was really high, Tacoma had no such place.
Farber is a city treasure.
In the early 1990s, the conditions were pretty stark downtown. Whole sections were basically written off for noral activities.
I still remember a “gentleman” who for months would stare at the clock outside LeRoy’s Jewelry. People called him “clockwatcher.” Even walking from the law school to subway seemed a bit edgy, the equivalent of Tacoma Avenue now.
How Farber was able to survive through that time is a testiment to both his skill and perseverance.
3 | Posted by Erik B. | Dec 4, 02:12 AM
The thing about big retailers is that they’re really not retailers. Take Sears or any department store. What is the one question everyone is asked when they reach the cash register? “Would you like to apply for a store credit card?”
Big retailers would rather generate income from interest on credit sales rather than on income from a service or product.
4 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 4, 08:45 AM
Regarding Farber’s comment about the small business owner resource’s and particularly capital:
Independent business owner’s are on the whole a savvy group because of their experience solving a variety of day to day problems including dealing with a wide range of people. Every problem one might encounter as a nonbusiness owner is magnified in business because there is usually a higher price for things needed to conduct business. Things like commercial rent, internet service, various government licenses, inspections, taxes and insurance, plus raw materials or inventory.
Most of the daily problems are easily solved with money. Most small businesses are always short on money. The best explanation why so many small businesses fail is that they don’t have access to large sources of money. One could almost say that they are competing for the same sources of money as corporate retailers.
One way to look at the broad picture is to accept the premise that social organization is the basis of politics. In a political contest the organization that most often wins is the one with the most money. Now, what kind of retail world might result from a contest between independent businesses and corporations? The result would look like Tacoma, especially since 1963 when the Mall owners asserted themselves.
So just remember that when you hand over your money to a corporate retailer, you are financing their politcal organization. You are financing their world view.
5 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 4, 03:27 PM
As much as I appreciate the smaller, unaffiliated shops that survived through the worst of times in our downtown core, I am of the belief that having bigger stores available is absolutely vital to the survival to our resurgence.
My more pressing questions are, where and how? The downtown shopping experience right now is very disconnected. We need some sort of center or nucleus, creating a hustle and bustle of foot travelers and some outdoor vendors, by which all the retail shops surround. Unfortunately, the topography of downtown Tacoma poses a challenge. It’s built on a steep hill facing east. How do we create a town center that has flow (some sort of outdoor feng shui), where people can park their car once and shop until they’ve gotten what they need, and possibly a little bit more without having their calves burn off of their legs?
That “little bit more” I refer to is the smaller shops that exist already. I think it’s a stretch to believe that a center would survive if it were built around shops that offer such personally specific items like unique jewelry or used CD’s or a beautiful flower arrangement. That being said, I think all of those businesses would benefit from creating a user friendly shopping experience that attracts our masses and big chain name brand retailers. Not WalMart! But there are some that aren’t totally offensive.
Making statements like, “If I want to go to Urban Outfitters or some other giant retailer, I’ll go to Seattle – Let’s keep Tacoma quaint!” is a cop-out attitude in my opinion.
Tacoma needs those big guys in order to improve the number of shoppers who visit downtown. The quaint shops can then add to the shopping experience and make our town unique. But they aren’t the draw!
So how and where are we going to build a user friendly town center? And who needs to be displaced in order to do it?
6 | Posted by Christian | Dec 4, 04:59 PM
“outdoor vendors?”
“outdoor feng shui?”
What the heck are you smoking and where can I get some?
Look, not every successful business district has big chain retailers. People that shop at big-box stores IN TACOMA are going to want a place to park. Like it or not, you have to envision the downtown retail in the context of what products and parking are available within a ten minute drive (Puyallup, Tacoma Mall, Lakewood, etc. etc.). The opportunity for downtown Tacoma to be a destination resides in the ability to offer opportunities for people to interact with other people in a rich cultural or historical context, not for them to comprehensively shop.
Beer is the answer. The Harmon, the Swiss, The Rock – these are places for people to come and experience Tacoma and Tacomans.
7 | Posted by tomtuttle | Dec 4, 06:41 PM
Christian, I couldn’t have said it any better.
8 | Posted by Jake | Dec 4, 07:52 PM
When I first moved here my Dad and I went “downtown” and parked on Broadway so we could hop on the Link. We walked around by the Starbucks and noted how dead it was on a Saturday. We kept walking down one street, Pacific, because nothing was calling us in any other direction. And once we got to Union Station we got the sense that we had hit the “end.” All of this was with little to no knowledge of the downtown issues, parking requirements, retail, Tollefson, etc. that I’ve since learned on this wonderful blog.
All of this is to say that it only took one trip for me to get the sense that there wasn’t much going on. Big box retail or just a flurry of small stores, either way it would have visually stimulated us and drawn us out into Tacoma for a longer amount of time. What impression does downtown leave for out of town visitors? I’m guessing it’s very similar…
9 | Posted by lotac | Dec 4, 08:07 PM
So far I can’t buy a nice suit downtown, buy new jeans, buy new shirts, buy new shoes, take my suits to the cleaners, shop for food, buy new dishes, buy new electronics, watch a first run movie, buy new sporting goods, buy new furniture, shall I continue…….though, I can buy cards, small little gifts, flowers, get a haircut, buy coffee, buy used little nicks nacks, rugs, rings, and of course lots of drinks……hmmmm, seems the local business isn’t covering all the basis…….don’t get me wrong, I really do use the local merchants as much as possible, but it is very limited…I love watermark, the learning sprout for my nephews gifts, but other than that the most I visit the other places is once a year….oh I forgot, there are a couple great art galleries…..
10 | Posted by rich | Dec 4, 09:09 PM
The corporate team built a new stadium out on I-5 over forty years ago. That’s where everyone goes to the retail game now.
Downtown has options. It’s still early in the experimental phase.
11 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 4, 09:50 PM
“So far I can’t buy a nice suit downtown, buy new jeans, buy new shirts, buy new shoes, take my suits to the cleaners, shop for food, buy new dishes, buy new electronics, watch a first run movie, buy new sporting goods, buy new furniture.”
Ok, I’ll start:
Nice suits: Franco the Tailor (best in town) and Mr. Mac’s.
Jeans and Shirts: Rocky and Coco’s , Grassi’s, and Tiki Lounge
Cleaners: 15th Street Cleaners and Morel’s Cleaners
Food: D-town market and several other small stores. Also try Stadium Thriftway & Safeway.
Dishes, Electronics: OK, they are in short supply, but you rarely see small businesses in these area.
First Run movies: The Grand Cinema
Sporting Goods – Sound Running, DTI Soccer, again more the realm of mega stores now.
Furniture: Ruby Collection, Moraccan Treasures & Madera.
And several of these items also can be found at the Middle Floor Merchants. (no food though, sorry)
Things missing from Tacoma Mall: Cleaners, first run movies, food (grocery), flowers, fine dining, good drinks and good customer service.
12 | Posted by Vidiot | Dec 5, 03:25 PM
Yeah, and the Mall don’t got outdoor Feng Shui vendors. Rice or Pan Fried Noodles?
13 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 5, 04:27 PM
This is kind of a stretch, but when Farber is talking about a central area or core where people would congregate, I think he might remember very well that Broadway between 9th & 13th once had that core. Here’s a sample of the big name retailers that did provide a critical mass on Broadway: The Bon Marche, J.C. Penney, Sears, Woolworths, Kress, plus other notables like Rhodes department store, Pay Less Drugs, Ted Brown Music, and numerous clothing, shoes and jewelry stores.
And during that era prior to the urban renewal program that sealed off motor traffic along Broadway with a pedestrian plaza, there was a pretty decent flow of energy. The plaza experiment with its pedestrian only plan was a disaster and Broadway was opened to motor traffic again but the energy level still needs a recharge. I agree with Farber that there are hot spots around downtown but as for a white-hot core I can’t think of one.
14 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 5, 05:47 PM
FYI I don’t consider stadium Downtown, I still have to drive……and by the way, my cleaners is Morels’ and I do use the thriftway…but this is not downtown as much as they want to try to redefine downtown…..ooopps, ok, I did forget about Franko…but once again, this is stadium….not downtown…….
15 | Posted by rich | Dec 5, 09:43 PM
The same problem will continue to rear it’s ugly head no matter how much talking takes place… a parking problem remedy.
The beauracrats and the city officials have to make a decision to dig a hole into the downtown core. Multi-level underground parking with elevators on four corners is the only way to start a downtown center. And it has to be privately owned so that security can do it’s job to keep bums out and keep it a safe place for patrons.
The other challenge is making it easier to access than the Tacoma Mall.
Seeing the amount of people that walk the farmers market every Thursday during the Summer proves to me that there is a good amount of people working downtown who will use a shopping center there. But it would still need to be more attractive than the Mall off of 38th for those who are passing by on their way home from work outside of downtown.
16 | Posted by Christian | Dec 6, 11:24 AM
Right. Take one event like the Farmers Market and break it down why it works to attract people.
I would start by saying that it draws a lot of people who expect to see a lot of other people. So the market or even the Mall for that matter is not just a shopping experience. A lot of people shop at either place because of the chance of seeing a lot of other people or maybe more so, they have hopes of being seen.
It isn’t so much the quality of the products that people are seeking, but rather the quantity of other people.
17 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 6, 01:43 PM
I pray for a grown-up city council and city government who will be organized and economical when it comes to our downtown. Support downtown, do it right the first time. No more debacles like Pacific Avenue with its once again soon to be torn up road due to big bad mismanagement mistakes, etc. What large company, given the track record of “bungling” city goverment would come in to be told, “oops, no parking, ooops, we have to tear up your street again……ooooops, we thought it would be a good idea, but back to the drawing board again. Sorry, but it will be so much better when its done…..again.”
Accountability. The masses have to care about downtown, tell your city what you want and back it up with action.
I say we all have an “Exit 133” empowerment rally. We can meet at one end of downtown, eat, drink and shop our way thru the city, end up at City Hall, and light candles to the good old days of a once thriving downtown….then burn all of our shopping receipts in protest that there’s not enough “action” downtown.
18 | Posted by dni | Dec 7, 10:03 AM
I’m all for showing up and proving a point to the powers that be.
Tell me where. Tell me when. Count me in.
Now.
Who has $200 million that believes they can make money by building downtown?
Anyone?
Anyone?
It’s your turn to speak now….
19 | Posted by Christian | Dec 7, 11:32 AM
Why is this being painted as a “win/lose” situation for the small businesses if other retailers are brought into downtown? It seems to me that with more shopping options bringing people downtown, everyone wins! Currently no one comes to downtown to shop because the shopping is sparse and spread out. The more businesses that are present, the more people will shop not only at the big stores, but also at the small stores. It’s all about bringing people downtown…without the people, the businesses suffer, period
20 | Posted by BROCK | Dec 7, 01:50 PM
In the movie Star Wars, the scene where Darth Vader removes his headgear—-That character represents Corporations—-The people behind them are oftentimes wicked weasels.
21 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 7, 05:08 PM
Tacoma just needs to stop working with Seattle consultants. Tacoma knows what Tacoma needs. Paying some consulting firm a bushel of money to tell us we need to be more like Seattle or more like Portland is absurd. Seattle didn’t become the city it is by listening to San Francisco consultants telling it to be more like San Francisco and Tacoma will never be anything but the best she can be, which is a long way from where she is today.
There are some rules for downtowns that work. Most have a classic department store. Tacoma had a number of them in her prime. Downtowns need a movie theater. Downtowns need a greasy chop sticks Chinese restaurant. A downtown should have one place to eat that is open 24/7. A downtown needs a diversity of small businesses. You need art in a downtown. You need culture in a downtown. The wealthiest person and the poorest person should be able to find something downtown that appeals to them and compels them to make the trip downtown. A downtown needs housing in all price ranges. A good downtown will have a sense of history.
Back east in Philadelphia if you tell someone to “meet you under the clock at Wanamaker’s” everyone know what you are talking about and knows where to find you. A downtown is both big and small. A downtown is both wildly public and extremely personal. A downtown is a state of mind as Petula Clark alludes to. A downtown is the sacred and the profane. It is high end and skid row. It is the one place you can go when you need to be somewhere and you know it will just work for you. Downtowns are mystery, anticipation, comfort, nostalgia, and a bit of danger. A downtown is a symphony of smells, most of which will put you in a Proustian moment. A downtown is a living entity that will stir some secret desire in you every time you think of it.
If the City really wants to blow a bushel of money on my advice please contact me at crenshaw.sepulveda@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to keep the money in Tacoma.
22 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Dec 7, 05:31 PM
Yes friends. Be take a hint from a guy who does… don’t just vote at the polls. Vote with your credit card and vote with your feet.
If I could grow up to be Harrison Ford from “mosquito coast” I would have long ago. Instead I buy as much things as I can online.
We can never buy back the slack the conspiracy stole away.
The stark fist of removal is in your mind.
23 | Posted by RR Anderson | Dec 7, 06:44 PM
Class. Pick one topic from #23 and expand.
24 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 7, 11:14 PM
Mr. Anderson, you’re a man of your time. And you’re priviledged to the extent that you’ve got access to a computer and the knowledge to operate one. Online goods and services, which you indicated that you prefer, are serious competition for traditional store front distributors.
An ordinance from the City Council won’t stop online competition to traditional business. That’s why I think downtown advocates should focus on developing experience related attractions. The ongoing events like the Farmers Market and 3rd Thursday Artwalk are both time-tested functions that appeal to a wide range of people.
Do what works. C.S. @22 further illustrates my point in his second paragraph which portrays a public experience kind of downtown for the everyman (man, as in human.).
25 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 8, 12:37 AM
Go Crenshaw! Very well put — waxing and waning poetic city-isms. Beautifully said.
As an aside, I just read in the TNT that the tree lighting ceremony for 08’ will be held at Tollefson plaza. I feel a party coming on next year. He who has the most concrete wins!
26 | Posted by dni | Dec 8, 01:26 AM
RR @23 “The stark fist of removal is in your mind.”
I know what you’re sayin’ man. The time has come for the iron fist in the not-so velvet glove. Deeds not Words!
I’m about ready to get up in the City Councils face and say, “ Take the potatoes outta your ears!” “We’re the new generation and we’ve got somethin’ to say!”
Brothers and Sisters, this is the new era of Idealism! THIS is the new message that WE’VE got to take to the crazy bald-headed establishment.
WHAT DO WE WANT?!
DENSITY!
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?!
NOW!
WHAT DO WE WANT?!
BANANA REPUBLIC SUPERSTORE!
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?!
NOW!
27 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 8, 09:29 AM
‘THE CITY OF DENSITY’ FOREVER!
28 | Posted by RR Anderson | Dec 8, 11:07 AM
I think the day we get any big box store will be when the City of Tacoma buys the company the land, builds the building for them, supplies the staff to work there and lets the company keep all the profits. Even then I think the chances would be slim that any big box would locate in downtown.
You do see big box stores in some urban centers. A big box sometimes is willing to set up shop in a very dense and highly populated urban center in order to grab some more market share. If there is no market share in an area they just aren’t going to set up shop there. As shrewd as the big box stores are these days, they do make some mistakes with their traditional deployment of stores and you will see them shut down a store because it isn’t cutting it. No way are they going to go against tradition and build a store in a place they know from the get go it isn’t going to cut it.
29 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Dec 8, 11:25 AM
RR @23 “mosquito coast”
Mosquito Coast is a film that presents an interesting view. I would recommend two films that present the opposing view which is “Stand your ground.” The two films, both parables and set in high density New York City, are Taxi Driver (1976) and Serpico (1973).
Density has consequences. We all know that.
Not knockin’ it.
30 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 8, 11:38 AM
RR @23 “We can never buy back the slack the conspiracy stole away.”
TRANSLATION:
Listen-up y’all.
When it comes to politics in Tacoma, you’re on a need-to-know basis.
You don’t need to know how or why big retail vanished from downtown.
That’s a mystery that will remain within the Councils of Conspirators.
31 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 8, 04:58 PM
You don’t need to know how or why big retail vanished from downtown.
I think we do know each and every step of the way and with great fanfare and ribbon cutting.
32 | Posted by Erik B. | Dec 8, 07:27 PM
I think we need the big guys. If your a business traveler staying at the hotels or a regular downtown worker, you want to leave your car parked and walk to convenient businesses: A Staples for office supplies; a Radio Shack for a headphone jack; a Bartel for aspirin; a Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a candy bowl; or a Lush for some sweet organic bath stuff. We just have to hope the businesses move in and don’t mess up our existing coolness!
33 | Posted by Christy | Dec 8, 09:55 PM
Christy, Staples, Radio Shack, Bartel, BBB, or Lush are interested in making money and not making it easy for the occasional business traveler to downtown Tacoma to find an aspirin. They all have very specific criteria for locating their store vis a vis population within a certain radius, parking, and demographics. No corporation is going to locate in downtown Tacoma to make life easier for anyone. The corporations want some assurance that they have the potential of making a profit and downtown Tacoma can not do this. So far downtown Tacoma has proven it is difficult for moms and pops to make a profit.
Is this a chicken or egg thing? If they build it they will come? The corporations are pretty smart about siting their store, for the most part. I don’t see any corporation thinking Tacoma is a smart bet today. One corporation that is very good at exploiting local governments might give it a shot if given enough incentives beyond their normal rip offs of local governments, and that corporation would be Wal-Mart. Tacoma would really have to bend over for this but it is a possibility that it could happen. I though, however, that Tacoma wanted to reduce the number of hillbillies, yahoos, and crackers in the downtown core. Does Tacoma really want to dance with the devil so that a couple of business travelers can find an aspirin or a candy dish? Does downtown really want to be a destination the for the NASCAR set?
34 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Dec 9, 04:08 AM
OK…in big letters….WALMART is BAD for downtown……..ok………now big box, of course we all know I would love to see…….I’m wondering if the key is the lack of high density class A commercial in downtown……..if we can get rid of the parking requirement so they don’t have to build a 40 story building with 20 stories of parking, I’m wondering if you add class A along with the businesses that come, along with the people who decide to move in closer to work, if the equation for the big retail would begin to look better…..hmmm….lots of wasted low density space in downtown…the core….
35 | Posted by rich | Dec 9, 08:48 AM
ok, and I have to take a slame on the developer who “redeveloped” lol the parking garage on Pacific across from the starbucks…….are they really serious?? it still looks like it should be demolished…..what were they thinking? I mean it is flat out ugly……and who in their right mind would lease the space on the first flow……wowo…….got to love those local developers….hmm…did Prium do it?
36 | Posted by rich | Dec 9, 08:51 AM
I would never put a Walmart in Tacoma or any other city/town/development in the entire world. Never!
But Cren, you missed part of my post. Not just the business traveler but the guy who works at the hotel; the lady who works on the 17th floor of the Wells Fargo building; or the group that works at Suite 133, they all could benefit from the big stores. Even if they only need to buy a candy dish.
37 | Posted by Christy | Dec 9, 11:04 PM
I did my part today for downtown Tacoma. I ate lunch in one downtown restaurant, then dinner at another. I brought two people with me.
Unfortunately I had to pick up my daughter’s Christmas gift at some other not-to-be mentioned department store. At least I didn’t order on-line, and I’m hoping at least the cashier lives in Tacoma…somewhere.
And, again I’ll do my part for T-town when I show up for work, at my business, located in downtown. I light my candles and burn my receipts in my own little ways to rally for downtown and Exit 133. Go team!
38 | Posted by dni | Dec 9, 11:17 PM
Look Christy, there’s no point looking for a candy dish downtown unless you wish for a See’s Candies also.
39 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Dec 10, 01:27 PM
O.K., I can agree with the above statement.
40 | Posted by Christy | Dec 10, 10:36 PM
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