Tacoma Community
Michael Duggan
What's New, Tacoma? 17 New Businesses + 3 ...

There’s change in the air across Tacoma, the return of things once lost, the reopening of places once closed, the transformation of one restaurant into another, the creation of brand new places to gather, shop, eat, and drink. We’ve been experiencing this change across the city and wanted to pull some of it together in one place. What follows is a list of 17 new, renewed, and returned businesses along with 3 coming soon. See if you can enjoy and support something new this month; if you do, we’d love to hear about it!

What's New, Tacoma? 17 New Businesses + 3 Coming Soon
Tacoma Community
Michael Duggan
Tacoma Community: 15 Things to Do in October

We’ve rounded-up and narrowed-down 15 ways to get out into community this October. Don your most intellectual scarf and hat combination for a literary night, dance and eat with the Greeks, step into a candlelit tour our 1855, get psyched up about cycling (and bicycle fashion), try forest bathing, don your most eccentric scarf and hat combination for the film festival, write letters for fun, tour art studios, hear from Latinas who experience being The Firsts in so many ways, take a local art walk, and celebrate Día de los Muertos. We’ve got some ways to volunteer in here too—lend a hand with Habitat for Humanity, pick up litter, or pull weeds and plant seeds at a favorite park to keep Tacoma green.

Tacoma Community: 15 Things to Do in October
Puget Sound Day Trips
Michael Duggan
Get Out of Town: Puget Sound Day Trips

Once in a while, we all need to get out of town. This month we’re sharing about Port Townsend and Vashon Island, two places we go again and again when a change of scene is calling. They’re places where the beach is always near, where parking is easy, where woods and trails beckon us away from the sidewalks. Places where small, local bakeries, coffee roasters, independent bookstores, and one of a kind shops outnumber chains by far. We’ll share some of the ways we pass the time and how we fill our stomachs (never a problem). Don’t worry too much about planning; these destinations are so close to Tacoma, you can show up again and try what you missed. Wake up one morning and just decide to go!

Get Out of Town: Puget Sound Day Trips
Tacoma Community
Michael Duggan
Tacoma High 5 - July 2024

Tacoma High 5 is our way to nudge you (and us!) toward what we love about Tacoma. It’s a short list with a commitment to the local—it embraces the season, invites delight, encourages a spirit of exploration and some generosity as well. This month’s list includes Tacoma Pride, an all ages neighborhood music festival, a game that gets you supporting small businesses (and winning prizes), Swedish-style baked goods, and the chance to help out Habitat for Humanity or spend Friday afternoons watering trees to keep Tacoma (and its future) healthy and shaded.

  1. Community Event

  2. Sweet Treat

  3. Exploration & Adventure

  4. Local Love

  5. Volunteering & Sharing

Tacoma High 5 - July 2024
Tacoma Food & Drink
Michael Duggan
Tacoma Outdoor Dining Guide

Want to go out and really be out—out in the open air, beneath a colorful umbrella, on a shaded patio, beside a bustling sidewalk, seated on a deck overlooking the water, pulled up to a bar counter by the street? We’ve gathered over 60 of Tacoma’s outdoor dining spots by neighborhood to get you started. Take a look at our list of restaurants, cafes, and bars with outdoor seating, then get yourself away from the screen, out the door, and into the life of Tacoma’s summer. See you out there!

Tacoma Outdoor Dining Guide

Shop Local

10 Ways to Give Local Love - 2023

10 Ways to Give Local Love - 2023

This month we’ve created a list focused on 10 ways to give in December. You’ll find 5 sections of recommendations for local gift giving with holiday markets and some of our favorite small shops included, and 5 suggestions for giving outside your circle of friends and family to community and unknown neighbors. All 10 ways of giving put love into the Tacoma community! Read on for a choir made of refugees and USA-born residents offering a concert to celebrate peace, a list of local cafes for coffee lovers, a gift card drive to support clients at the YWCA, a nostalgic holiday movie marathon, a diaper drive to comfort local families, a gift that cares for birds, and more.

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Tacoma Bookshops: A 6 Stop Tour of Our City

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Tacoma Bookshops: A 6 Stop Tour of Our City

It’s a Tacoma neighborhood tour and independent bookshop crawl all in one. Stopping for cups of coffee, a pint, a slice of cake, or even a feast on your browsing adventure is encouraged, and we’ll show you where! Get out the door on this bookstore tour from 6th Ave in the center to Proctor in the north to McKinley Ave up on the hill. Get lost in the aisles, among the shelves, in the pages, in an underground kingdom, in the worlds above the clouds. When you pull yourself back out, back up, back down, we’ll make sure you know where to find a spiced latte, black brew, or sparkling elixir to settle you back in the present and remind you of your own name. Support local shops, celebrate literature, and feed your need to read.

10 Ways to Give: Local Love - 2022

10 Ways to Give: Local Love - 2022

This month we’ve created a special list of 10 ways to give in December. You’ll find 5 sections of recommendations for local gift giving with holiday markets and some of our favorite small businesses included, and 5 suggestions for giving outside your friends and family, ways of giving to community and unknown neighbors, ways of giving your time, and even a gift that supports wildlife conservation and education. All 10 ways of giving put LOVE into the Tacoma community!

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Tacoma Bookshops: An 8 Stop Tour of Our City

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Tacoma Bookshops: An 8 Stop Tour of Our City

It’s a Tacoma neighborhood tour and independent bookshop crawl all in one including two new bookstores you really ought to meet. Stopping for a cup of coffee, a pint, a snack, or even a feast on your browsing adventure is encouraged, and we’ll show you where! Get out the door on this bookstore tour from 6th Ave in the center to Proctor in the north to McKinley Ave up on the hill. Support local shops and your need to read.

10 Ways to Give: Local Love

10 Ways to Give: Local Love

This month we’ve created a special list of 10 ways to give in December. You’ll find 5 recommendations for local gift giving with some of our favorite small businesses included, and 5 suggestions for giving outside your friends and family, ways of giving to community and unknown neighbors, ways giving of your time, and even a gift that supports wildlife conservation and education. All 10 ways of giving put LOVE into the Tacoma community!

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Tacoma Bookshops: A 7 Stop Tour of Our City

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Tacoma Bookshops: A 7 Stop Tour of Our City

It’s a Tacoma neighborhood tour and independent bookshop crawl all in one (plus tips for where to stop for snacks and drinks along the way)! Support local shops and your need to read. This is our 3rd edition, including updated and expanded content, a bookstore tour map, and news about big changes at one of the shops.

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The February Edition - Over 30 Tacoma Events!

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The February Edition - Over 30 Tacoma Events!

We’re back for the 9th month in a row to spread the Tacoma love all around! With over 30 events in this list there’s something for lovers of the indoorsy and outdoorsy, lovers of music, of film, lovers of peace and quiet, lovers of local makers, of discussion, of disruption, of justice, lovers of literacy, of gal pals, lovers of lovers (all kinds), lovers of Tacoma!

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Tacoma Bookshops: A 7 Stop Tour of Our City

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Tacoma Bookshops: A 7 Stop Tour of Our City

It’s a Tacoma neighborhood tour and independent bookshop crawl all in one (plus tips for where to stop for snacks and drinks along the way)! Support local shops and your need to read.

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Tacoma Summer Markets

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Tacoma Summer Markets

Summer is outdoor market season. Say goodbye to fluorescent lights, muzak, and plastic. Join the general delight created by people selling directly to people with dogs, strollers, weather, and live music in the mix. This is our list of Tacoma Markets (not just Farmers Markets, either!), plus 2 select out of town markets well worth a visit.

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Lincoln Students Growing Life Skills, Community, and Lots of Plants Too!

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Lincoln Students Growing Life Skills, Community, and Lots of Plants Too!

It’s the Lincoln High School Plant Sale this Wednesday, May 2 - Sunday May, 6. Last week we visited Abe’s Golden Acres to interview Mr. Iverson and some of the LHS students working, learning, and growing at the farm. We were impressed and charmed. You will be too.

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Tacoma Arts Like Crazy!

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Tacoma Arts Like Crazy!

Thursday-Sunday it's all the arts in Tacoma! Literary readings, local makers, installations, performance, musicians, and you. It's here for you! Maker, Vintage & Fair Trade Pop Up Market, Creative Colloquy Readings, and Homecoming at Alma Mater.

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Second Hand Home: Habitat for Humanity Store

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Second Hand Home: Habitat for Humanity Store

If you're into hand-me-downs, one-of-a-kind thrift store finds, saving money, and participating in a force for good in our community, then read on and make a visit to a Habitat for Humanity Store.

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Have You Been to the Delightful Neighborhood Market?

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Have You Been to the Delightful Neighborhood Market?

Meet this friendly market tucked on a North End block ready to serve up local Tacoma favorites alongside your basic corner store stock. Oh, and bring your growler!

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This Weekend in Tacoma: Flea Market, St. Paddy's Day, Soccer, & A Sweet New Cafe

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This Weekend in Tacoma: Flea Market, St. Paddy's Day, Soccer, & A Sweet New Cafe

Support local artists, makers, and bakers at the Fieldhouse Flea Market. Cheer for Tacoma's own soccer team. Visit the city's newest cafe. Celebrate St. Paddy with a music festival. This weekend is going to be so good!

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Treasure Hunt: 2 Gems on Tacoma's Antique Row

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Treasure Hunt: 2 Gems on Tacoma's Antique Row

Delve into Tacoma's Antique Row, a place where treasure is sought, surprises are found, where rare gems of days gone by will catch your eye and strike your fancy. 

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Holiday Events + Local Artists + Crafts + Santa!

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Holiday Events + Local Artists + Crafts + Santa!

Tacoma is brimming with events to make you merry in the coming week with plenty of opportunities to give back to the community. Meet local artists, find a fresh wreath, discover unique gifts, share love, eat tasty treats, and keep your eye out for Santa!

Hi, I'm Michael Duggan, a licensed broker with Windermere Abode. I would love to help you through the home buying or selling process. Please contact me to set up a meeting and get things started.