5 Questions for ... Steph Farber

So many people, so many issues, so many questions …

We’ll be inviting members of the community to answer 5 questions for us that will help jump start the week’s discussion. We will not be editing their responses, so what you see is straight from the horse’s mouth.

Our first questions go to Steph Farber, a jeweler in downtown Tacoma, downtown activist, and overall very cool guy.

1. Why is LeRoy Jewelers called LeRoy? Is there a Mr. or a Mrs. LeRoy?

This goes back to State of the Art Market Research as it existed in 1941, when my dad opened the store. While today entrepreneurs would hire big time consultants at $250/hour to work with focus groups over the course of a year or two – all with the aim of coming up with the perfect, alluring, commerce friendly name for the business, they did things just a little differently back then. My dad and his sister were playing a game of Anagrams. LeRoy came up. There was room for 5 letters over the doorway of their new store. What could be better? [And in lieu of the consultant’s fee, I think a good Scotch may have helped encourage the creative thinking.]

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 wherever 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?

… to read the full response to this question, click here.

3. When you look at Tacoma, what gives you the most hope and optimism?

YOUNG PEOPLE! There is clearly a new generation or two of engaged, passionate people who are becoming part of the building of this community. Smart people with energy see the possibilities of Tacoma and they are not at all afraid of stepping forward to help make things happen. Unlike the city to the north, where money or position or influence are the keys to involvement, the secret of Tacoma has been that anyone, ANYONE with the time and interest can become involved. This has been a hands-on city and I see many new, young, talented hands starting to participate. And not a moment too soon.

4. Where will you be this New Year’s Eve?

Where else? I will be celebrating the New Year with the rest of the community at FIRST NIGHT TACOMA 2008! First Night has a Pirate theme this year, matey. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh!

5. We’re interested in spelling EXIT133 out in diamonds and wearing that cool piece of bling around Tacoma. How much do you think that would run us? Do you know someone who might buy it for us?

For you? The perfect, understated bauble. I can see it now. In the words of Uncle Scrooge, it would pencil out to $Uncountabatrillions. And worth every penny, I must say.

As for who could buy it for you, try Tim Eyman. He’s been on a roll lately.