If you’re new to Tacoma, welcome! If you’ve been here a long old time, we hope you’ll still find something in this list worth your while.
Small Business Saturday has come and gone, but our small, local businesses are still here. And it’s not too late to support them! We’ve gathered a host of some of our favorite small business, but this list isn’t about shopping sprees; it’s about being out in the community face-to-face with the people working hard in their small, local, and family-owned shops and cafes. So take a look at the list; see if you can find a way to give that supports our local community and local relationships.
We’re starting off with 3 ways of giving that you can’t wrap or open. They’re gifts that support health, wholeness, nutrition, and community.
If you’re not shopping this season, or don’t celebrate with gift-giving in December, tuck these ideas away for a time when you’re seeking to celebrate someone in your life, or need an outlet for showing your love to community.
3 Ways to Give Love to Tacoma Community
Before we share some groups of small businesses around Tacoma, we’d like to start with three ways to give in the Tacoma community, ways that support neighbors you may not know. These first three are about health, wholeness, welcome, and nourishment—for everyone.
1. Give Health, Safety & Care with the Neighborhood Clinic
If I think about what causes stress and what brings security, healthcare is near the top of the list. When we have pain or something just doesn’t feel right any of us can end up feeling scared and worried. But if you don’t have the money, status, or insurance to get care, the damage goes beyond worry. If you’re looking for a way to support people in the Tacoma area and across Pierce County who struggle to afford or access health care, we recommend the Neighborhood Clinic.
The clinic provides free care for people who are unable to afford or access medical care and support services. They guarantee privacy, and see the person, not their immigration status. Neighborhood Clinic's mission "To ensure that everybody has access to health care" is as simple as it is challenging. They go on to state that the clinic "is grounded on the belief that healing occurs where physical and medical care is accompanied by consistent emotional support and a regard for the whole person."
The clinic is located downtown in Tacoma, but patients come from as far as King County, Snohomish, and Olympia to receive care at the clinic run by a small staff and a generous team of volunteer doctors, nurses, social works, and translators.
If you're a doctor, social worker, RN, PA, EMT (the list goes on!), you might like to read more about volunteer opportunities. If you're just a regular person like us who might like to support, read more about donations here.
Images in this collage are from Emergency Food Network
2. Give the comfort of food on every table with Emergency Food network
We celebrate with food in this season, and need it every day in every season. It’s true—but isn’t right—that 1 in 4 people in Washington experiences food insecurity and visited a food pantry in 2024. That includes more than 230,000 of our neighbors in Pierce County and a lot of children are in that number. The good news is you can be part of putting food on every table even if what you have to spare is $1.
Every dollar donated to Emergency Food Network becomes two meals. $1=2 meals! A lot of partnerships, organization, and volunteering goes into making that work. Share a meal today.
Join the Supper Club with a $25/month donation which helps EFN’s efficiency, planning, and stability.
If you’re feeling organized and want to include family, friends, and coworkers, you could host a food/fund drive now or in the new year. EFN makes it easy!
Images from AIDNW
3. Give Advocacy & Care to Immigrants with AIDNW
AIDNW is Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest, an effort we always feel good about highlighting and supporting. Officially open since 2009, AIDNW’s vision is to be “A welcoming community that affirms the dignity of all immigrants.”
Their mission, simply stated, is “AIDNW supports immigrants in detention and welcomes them on their release.” But if you’ve ever belonged to a group with a mission, you know getting the work done isn’t always simple, and always takes a lot of help!
That’s where we all come in.
How You Can Help: You could volunteer in the Welcome Center assisting and greeting asylum seekers and immigrants as they’re released from the NW ICE Processing Center in the Port of Tacoma.
You could write to or visit a detainee to help them feel less isolated.
You could sort donations, plan events, help with fundraising, provide transportation, or just sign up for the newsletter to stay informed.
You could donate funds, donate books in various languages, donate approved craft supplies.
Our Tacoma Small Business Giving Guide - Book Shops, Coffee Roasters/Cafes, Small Shops to Love & Shops for Kids
Shop for books and records in the same trip at Hi-Voltage on 6th.
A glimpse of the books awaiting discovery at Teaching Toys.
Local, Independent Book Shops
Visit Shelf Indulgence, Tacoma’s new (and first!) romance only bookstore on 6th Ave.
Giving a book is giving an adventure in the mind. If it’s a book you’ve read and loved it can also be a gift of future conversation, or shared experience, an invitation into who you are and what you love. Giving a book from a local book shop supports a small business, helps local employees and shop owners check-off the items on their grocery list and ensures those bookstores will still be there when you’re ready to browse.
Grit City Books on 6th Avenue offers new books for all ages in a friendly atmosphere.
Grit City Books, 6th Ave - new books for all ages and online ordering too
King’s Books, Stadium - both new and used books in stock, plus order any book for delivery or pick-up
Teaching Toys & Books, Proctor & Gig Harbor) - for babies, children, and young readers
Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop, Fircrest - for babies, children, and young readers
Hi-Voltage Books, 6th Ave - new books for all ages with plenty in stock and more they can order in by special request
Shelf Indulgence, 6th Ave - An all romance all the time bookstore Tacoma never knew it needed
The Lakewood Bookstore - New and used books for all ages (used book trade-ins available)
Invitation Bookshop, Gig Harbor - with new books for all ages and gift cards too
If you visit McCoy Kids, Teaching Toys or Curious Bear you’re almost guaranteed to find some other toys, puzzles, games, or art supplies for young ones in your life along with some good reading. We’ll share more local shops for gifts of all ages later in this list.
Lux Coffee on McKinley Hill - a good spot to sip an Americano before going next door for prawn tacos at The Top.
Curran Coffee in Old Town - order “for here” to see which mix and match mug you’ll get, or bring your own and take your brew to the beach.
Manifesto Coffee in Hilltop - tried and true.
Local Coffee Shops, Tea Shops & Cafes
Tacoma is home to a growing group of coffee roasters and cafes. A couple of tea shops are excellent choices for tea enthusiasts too. These cafes are scattered all across the city, so go on a treasure hunt fueled by the sampling you’re encouraged to do along the way. Support local roasters and tea shops by buying a bag of beans, some loose leaf tea blends, or a gift card. Maybe your gift to a loved one could be a coffee date or two with you!
Manifesto Coffee Roasters - Hilltop
Three Hearts - Hilltop
Valhalla Coffee Roasters - 6th Ave
Bluebeard Coffee Roasters - 6th Ave & South Tacoma Way
Wily Cycle Works - 6th Ave
Olympia Coffee - Proctor
Lander Coffee - Three Bridges
The Antique Sandwich Co. - Ruston
LUX Coffee - McKinley Hill
Beware Coffee - McKinley Hill
Third Space Tacoma - Downtown
Common Ground Coffee - Downtown
Outer Dark Coffee Co. - Downtown
The Method Skateboards & Coffee - Downtown
Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters - Downtown/Brewery District (inside 7 Seas Brewing)
Campfire Coffee - Downtown & at Tacoma Public Utilities (coming soon to the Eastside Community Center and the STAR Center)
Civic Roasters - Downtown (just opened November 2025!)
Jin Jin Matcha - Downtown
Mad Hat Tea - Broadway, Antique Row
Mimi’s Teas - Fircrest
Curran Coffee - Old Town
Locally Owned & Operated Shops to Love
Vintage apparel on vibrant display at Scorpio Rising
There are a lot of places to spend money. They’re all over our phones and computers, they fill malls and shopping centers, they’re endless. Nobody needs more ways to spend money! But, if you’re giving gifts now or throughout the year, consider supporting a small business, one run by just a handful of dedicated people, one where you might even be conversing with the shop owner while you choose a gift.
The idea here isn’t to advocate more spending, but rather to recommend a few small, local businesses—some of which are women-owned and BIPOC-owned—in which the experience of shopping can feel like a pleasure, rather than an errand.
La Paloma Tacoma
There are days in Tacoma when I stop by a local shop for a gift, then into a restaurant for a gift card, and when I enter those businesses I’m likely to be greeted by name. That can change my whole day, and the whole experience of spending time and money to give a gift. It’s not about me feeling important, it’s about belonging, and it’s also a signal that the people in those businesses have a sense of belonging too. I think shopping where we live, from people rather than corporations, helps build community. I invite you to experience that.
This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but just a selection of some Tacoma small businesses run by people we know, or feel good supporting.
Lauda
Tacoma Knife Sharpening & Mercantile
Field Bar & Bottle Shop
Image from Cocobolo
Vessel Vintage Collection
Scorpio Rising Vintage
Fibers, Etc. Tacoma
Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
Lauda - Downtown - Every purchase goes a long way in supporting this small and very thoughtfully stocked small business. Go in search of greeting cards, the perfect pen (and delightful pouches for storing those pens), an array of day planners, journals, attractive desktop tools, beautiful paints, even some home goods like woven blankets and cashmere mitts. It’s the spot for your loved ones who write journals, send snail mail, paint pictures (or their nails), and in general love small, special, cozy things.
Tacoma Knife Sharpening & Mercantile - Downtown (next door to McCoy Kids & Lauda) - A knife sharpening expert and ceramic artist run this shop together stocked with kitchen tools, handmade ceramic pieces, fancy pantry items, local coffee beans, and of course knives and knife-sharpening services. It’s a sweet new spot.
Cocobolo - Downtown/St Helens District - Sister-owned, carefully curated apparel, supporting small, environmentally conscious brands and vintage, with their own house line designed and sewn in Tacoma. Along with apparel you’ll find beautifully packaged soaps, perfume, jewelry, and incense.
Vessel Vintage Collective - Antique Row/Downtown - A place for the mid-century modern enthusiast, for ones who love a small space lovingly arranged in which each item shines. Find cocktail glasses, tumblers, candle holders, furniture, tableware, and decor for those who treasure treasures. It’s colorful and clean and never a disappointment.
Shop Conmigo - Antique Row/Downtown - Vintage goodness alongside modern goods for your loved one who appreciates pre-loved items with style. Shop for clothes and household gifts. You might find the perfect goblets, candelsticks, cardigan, button-down, or trousers. Give it a go.
La Paloma Tacoma - 6th Ave - This is a beautiful shop. It’s beautiful because it’s run by family, because the family wraps around community and celebrates people, and because they choose such an eclectic mis of items for the shop. Enjoy plants, pottery, small press publications, vintage goods, non-toxic nail polish, watercolor paints, books, candles, stationary, beaded jewelry, and all manner of unexpected selections. Stop in for Lazy Sundays and find fresh baked good, seasonal flowers, friendly faces.
Scorpio Rising - 6th Avenue - The place to go for vintage 70s calico, 90s flannels, graphic tees, worn-in denim, woolen car blankets, and patchwork quilts that are faded just right.
Field Bar & Bottle Shop - 6th Avenue - Take someone on a date. We dare you. Even if you’re not going for romance, you can enjoy the heck out of some time in this cozy nook, and that’s a gift worth giving. Or, pop in for a bottle of natural wine to give someone you think is especially nice.
Fibers, Etc. - Downtown - Where the knitters go for inspiration, necessary supplies, replacement needles, and the widest array of yarn anywhere near here. Where those who love knitters can go to give the most beautiful lace weight alpaca that was ever spun, a sturdy hand-dyed worsted just right for mittens, a tweedy wool straight from Donegal for the perfect winter cap. Exploration is encouraged and help is on hand.
Tacoma Glassblowing Studio - Downtown & Proctor - Family owned and operated since 2006 TGS is both a storefront with an array of blown glass ornaments, jewelry, and trinkets more colorful than a candy shop and a studio for learning and practicing the art of blowing glass. TGS participates in the extremely beloved and highly anticipated tradition of Monkeyshines each year as part of celebrating the Lunar New Year. You can pre-order next year’s commemorative Year of the Dragon candle cup, a purchase that supports the making of free-to-the-finder glass art hidden all over Tacoma during the lunar new year festivities.
Adorned Abode - Freighthouse Square - Cozy, thoughtful gifts for the home and beyond, stocking stuffers, and lots of edible treats like caramels, tea, smoked salmon, and popcorn, with online, curbside, or in-person-by-appointment shopping with a special Gift Box Concierge Service (ask Benita!).
Paper Luxe - Fircrest - A wide array of stationary, greeting cards, and writing implements give this shop its name, but it’s much more than paper. Stocked with jewelry, travel mugs, candles, journals, home goods, holiday decor, ornaments, and party supplies, think of this as a “general store” full of appealing gifts.
Compass Rose
The Proctor Mercantile
And we recommend a stop in Proctor where you can easily move between a handful of Tacoma’s favorite shops all within a a block or two! Visit:
Good Luck Shop - for a selection of apparel, ceramics, cosmetics, and thoughtfully selected gifts.
Lapis - for gorgeous jewels, gems, and watches in a low-pressure setting.
Compass Rose - for kitchen goods, journals, candles, socks, jewelry, stationary, handbags, sunglasses, home decor, holiday items, and an entire section for little ones too.
The Pacific Northwest Shop - for home goods, snacks, treats, calendars, books, ceramics, and printed goods all from the good, ol’ PNW.
The Proctor Mercantile - for home goods, Fiestaware, baby gifts, greeting cards, and holiday items.
Local SHops for Kids - Toys, Books, Games, Art Supplies
McCoy Kids
The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop
Artist & Craftsman Supply
We’d like to direct you to a couple of the shops we mentioned in our Gift of Reading section along with a few others (don’t forget Compass Rose & The Proctor Mercantile both have sections for kids and babies too):
McCoy Kids - Downtown - Been shopping at Lauda or Tacoma Knife Sharpening & Mercantile? Don’t miss McCoy Kids, a small, but mighty treasure trove of delights with a focus on sustainable goods sandwiched right between those shops. Find books, puzzles, stuffed animals, puzzles, games, and beautiful handmade wooden figures from Europe.
The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop - Fircrest - If you’ve been at Paper Luxe Head next door to their sister shop The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop for games, books, stuffed animals, art supplies, coloring books, baby gear, and lots of toys.
Teaching Toys & Books - Proctor & Gig Harbor - This shop makes it pretty clear what they’re about. We’ve found countless books, puppets, puzzles, and decorative mobiles here over the years.
Artist & Craftsman Supply - Downtown - It isn’t specifically for kids, but my goodness, its colorful interior brings out the kid in me and the shelves are stocked with tools and materials that will invite anyone to get lost in hours of creative play.
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