A Nordstrom Celebration
We were fortunate enough this evening to find ourselves at the charitable re-opening gala hosted by the newly relocated Tacoma Nordstrom’s. While the evening gave people an early glimpse of the new Tacoma store, it was also a benefit for the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass. It was THE place to be. Or at least the line for valet parking made it seem that way.
We passed through the doors, skirted the handshakes and flash bulbs of the welcoming line, and moved directly into menswear. As we walked passed sharply dressed mannequins, an unexpected cocktail counter, and toward the escalators, we found ourselves finagled into getting our shoes shined. It was great. As we talked to Brian and Dennis, our professional shoe shining experts, we had the opportunity to gaze through the store and get an idea of what was going on around us.
The store itself was refreshing. It seems much lighter and airy when compared with the old Tacoma Nordstrom. The cafe is modern, comfortable and cozy. Hand painted tiles decorate the aisles of the Kids’ Wear department. The fixtures just seemed … nicer. We overheard several people comment on how much they liked the new layout. As far as big box designer retail goes, this is a nice store. Tacoma is one of the big kids now.
As for the evening, it was quite an event. The music was great. The food and drinks were amazing. (Personally, I like the idea of a gin and tonic while visiting the mall. It makes the whole experience a bit easier.) The staff was on top of everything and in a great mood. People shopped. Models showed off the latest fashions. Photographers buzzed around.
We’ve found ourselves at a variety of charitable events, museum openings, and auctions in Tacoma over the years. Generally speaking, we often see the same people. Tonight, we saw those people … plus about 800 others. AND, these people were dressed to the nines. Who knew we had such fashion sense?
For everyone counting down, the new Nordstrom opens for the general public on Friday, October 3rd at 10:00 am. Check it out.
Here are some photos from this evening’s event:
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<txp:smd_slimbox imageid="2331, 2333, 2334" groupname="Nordstroms" />
<txp:smd_slimbox imageid="2335, 2336, 2337" groupname="Nordstroms" />
Filed under: Events, tacoma-business
50 comments
E Erik B. October 1, 2008
Go Local!
T TacomAroma October 1, 2008
like, OMG!!!! True Religion Jeans!!
R RR Anderson October 1, 2008
Hooray! One more dump to spend money in where we can all go to escape the reality of massive bailouts and, foreign wars!
the designer rubber boots will come in handy with the point ruston residents wishing to avoid lead and arsenic contamination.
Praise the lord and pass the credit card!
E Erik S October 1, 2008
“SECTION – DISCO BECKY BIG T – SEAT”?
J Justin October 1, 2008
I’m just curious if any of the usual suspects on here ever have anything positive to say about anything (not everyone, but you know the handful I’m referring to). Maybe I’m just a naive, corporate stiff who I’m sure you’d call a sheep or something equally witty, but I’m quite fed up with it all. It sure seems easy to sit behind the computer and complain incessantly every single day about all things that don’t fit into your own personal and narrow needs, agenda or world view?
Not everyone is blessed with the fantastic insight and untouchable integrity that you must CLEARLY possess, like maybe all the “thoughtless consumerist” tourists and visitors who will frequent a place like this new Nordstrom’s and bring their money into our local economy. Sure Nordstrom’s isn’t Tacoma, but it’s Seattle based and creates a lot of jobs in our region. And what about all the other local businesses people will spend their money in while they’re in town? It’s not all going to the box stores and corporate giants.
For supposed supporters of our great city you’re sure displaying a narrow view of what that support is and funny way of showing your love by your pessimistic nit-picking of everything and everyone. I’m all about going local and do so as much as possible, but it’s not the only solution and you can’t force it upon people by brow beating them for their choices. And I’m not just talking about this particular article and this Nordstrom’s issue, but it sure is a good example. If you don’t like the mall, then good for you and don’t go there, but it’s time to get over it a bit and show some passion for something besides negativity and criticism. Look to the bigger picture and insert a little open-mindedness and optimism. Give it a try, you might shock yourself.
E Elliot October 1, 2008
Justin:
It’s curious that you see this all as negative energy against things, because I see (especially in exit133) a tremendous positive energy for the local things in Tacoma that we love and value. I think if you look around, you’ll actually see a ton of open-mindedness and optimism around here towards farmer’s markets, public transit, local business, arts, and community events. Of course when you’re looking at a post about “the other side” you’re not going to see a lot of people saying “Cheers to Nordstrom’s, which insists on locating itself several miles down the highway in a mall that gets people in and out of town without shopping at a single independent local business due to it’s proximity to the interstate!”.
The fact is, we complain about this kind of thing because something we love is being strangled by it. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have positive energy as well, just not for a bunch of faceless corporations that don’t care about the wellbeing of our community (no offense to Nordstrom’s, they’re moderately okay on some of this stuff.)
S Sandy October 1, 2008
I have a question. Erik B, where would you suggest I buy a man’s suit in Tacoma besides Nordstrom? Everyone else, where can I purchase womens jeans (not used) for less than $100 besides at the mall?
I “Go Local”. I strive to limit my impact on the earth. I spend every penny my limited budget can afford at local retailers. But the fact is certain life necessities require Nordstroms. I am thrilled to be able to go to a beautiful store for those items. Especially a store that employs lots of people in our area and pays taxes to help my city government.
The more you force, guilt trip, and ridicule people the more they will be pushed away from what you want.
Get off your moral high horse and visit reality once and a while.
T Tomtuttle October 1, 2008
>>>certain life necessities require Nordstroms
Wow. We have very different lives.
C crenshaw sepulveda October 1, 2008
Wow, all this talk about negativity and my name wasn’t even mentioned.
S Sassy McButterpants October 1, 2008
wait wait wait. I’m all for this go local whatever and stuff, but I’m supposed to hate Nordstrom? Where the heck am I supposed to get over the knee black leather faux riding boots to give me my edge this fall?
Y You're Welcome October 1, 2008
No-doubt Sassy Mc-B. The Nordstrom shoe department is the bomb and I’d chain myself to the door in protest before I’d let that store get bulldozed.
Besides people… if the entire mall emptied out and became a deserted shell, our little town would be in some deep doo-doo!
S Squid October 1, 2008
Sandy@9: Men’s suits at Franco’s in the Stadium District, no more expensive than at Nordstrom.
Women’s Jeans: Envy on Proctor, Sonya’s on 21st.
Sassy@12: I’m going to ask that you thing twice about juxtaposing phrases like “over the knee” and “black leather faux riding boots” in the future. I already have heart issues.
S Squid October 1, 2008
Having said that, I love finding Ike Behar shirts in the mosh pit that is Nordstrom Rack. We should be trying to get a Rack to locate downtown.
C crenshaw sepulveda October 1, 2008
A Nordstrom Rack downtown would be a perfect fit for downtown. Nothing will keep people away from a Nordstrom Rack. In Seattle the Nordstrom Rack has people climbing over sleeping homeless people to get in. With the economy today a Rack would probably do extremely well in Tacoma, even downtown Tacoma.
S Squid October 1, 2008
I have long thought that an urban version of the outlet mall concept, anchored by the Rack, would work to revive struggling downtowns like Tacoma.
M Melanie October 1, 2008
Check the facts before you come down so hard on Nordstrom. Nordstrom has a history of great service and great quality. They’re very philanthropic and community focused. Other big (local or not) companies could easily use Nordstrom as a model of how to walk their talk: “At Nordstrom, we have a long-standing commitment to supporting the communities we serve. This support takes the form of cash contributions, community partnerships and volunteerism. Our selected areas of focus are health and human services, community development, education and cultural enhancement. Nordstrom is also a strong supporter of United Way, corporately and through the generous contributions of our employees.” (from the Nordstrom website) Lighten up, people! Give a Northwest company a break. Going local doesn’t always have to be small.
T Twofivethreezy October 2, 2008
Tomtuttle…of Tacoma Washington!? Awesome.
J Jesse October 2, 2008
Melanie is right. It sucks that Nordy’s isn’t downtown and helping that effort but, in the retail world, Nordstroms is a good retail job. My sis made some good money selling shoes there when her alternatives were other retail jobs at $8 an hour.
T Thorax O'Tool October 2, 2008
Look to the bigger picture and insert a little open-mindedness and optimism. Give it a try, you might shock yourself.
That sounds good and all, but when the sales lady in the Men’s department insults you to your face, it really makes it hard to be open-minded and optimistic about Nordstrom.
…and yes, that really did happen. I refuse to patronize them for that reason.
T Thorax O'Tool October 2, 2008
“Enjoy your congressional bailout(s)“
At least one of our senators voted against it
D drizell October 2, 2008
I’m proud to say I’ve never purchased anything from Nordstrom. But then again, I rarely buy new clothes and still wear things I bought in high school in the 90s. We could fight all day about the mall versus the neighborhoods, local business versus giant corporations. I don’t know too many people who would willingly kill off a local business just so another Seattle corporation can get rich at Tacoma’s expense.
Eventually, the Tacoma Mall will hopefully come to represent something other than mind-numbing suburban sprawl. With some of the recent development sprouting in the area, especially to the north and west of the mall, we are starting to see why the mall area is one of two locations (along with downtown) in Tacoma that are designated as Urban Centers by the Puget Sound Regional Council.
J Justin October 2, 2008
Yeah, the bailout’s really going to pad my pockets? Why don’t you take it all the way and call me a Republican too while you’re at it since you clearly know nothing about me. Say what you want about my opinions, but before you judge too much know that I do a hell of a lot to support and contribute to our community with my time and my money from my “corporate executive” job.
RR – I know you’re active in the community too, but I think a lot of others do little more than post their rants on here. I’ll gladly sit here and take the bullets if it gets people fired up enough to get out and do more to actually support Tacoma. Fire away…
M Melanie October 2, 2008
I’m wondering how many people used Microsoft products to bash the anti-local assumption that is coming through on this thread? Another (albeit not Tacoma) local (big) business doing good.
T Thorax O'Tool October 2, 2008
There are, as I see it, 2 levels of local.
“Microlocal” is stuff in your own town. In our case, we all know some of these players including Russell, Brown & Haley, US Oil, Buffelin, Codel, BCRA, Abolins, and the myriad of smaller businesses like The Grand Cinema, Gateway to India and the like…
Then there is “Macrolocal”. To be honest, the stretch om I-5 from DuPont to Everett is pretty much one big metroplex… I like to call it “Pugetopolis”. So even though companies like Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, WaMu (RIP), Nordstrom’s and the like aren’t Tacoma companies, they’re still a factor in the local economies.
So, in closing of my long-winded commentary, it’s perfectly acceptable to treat companies in Pugetopolis as local. They pretty much are.
T Thorax O'Tool October 2, 2008
“I’m wondering how many people used Microsoft products to bash the anti-local assumption that is coming through on this thread? Another (albeit not Tacoma) local (big) business doing good.“
I don’t use any M$ products. It’s not that I’m an M$ basher. I just don’t like their EULA terms, I don’t like their prices and I just plain don’t like their products.
However, I will happily bash on Apple’s useless doorstops. I won’t buy a Mac even if it’s the last computer around… But that’s another rant for another day in a different topic.
T Twofivethreezy October 2, 2008
Ok, is it just me but have people forgotten that Nordstrom’s IS a local buisiness?! They’re a homegrown family from the Puget Sound and they’re also one of the largest local philanthropists in the region. They’re not totally an evil corp just because they dont live exclusively in Tacoma.
M Melanie October 2, 2008
Thorax,
You hate the Nordstrom men’s department; you don’t like Microsoft; and you hate Apple. Please don’t tell me you hate puppies and cupcakes too. Hello, Cupcake has great ones, by the way, and they’re quite local and friendly.
A altered chords October 2, 2008
Nordstrom’s has a piano and someone playing it.
I like that.
Therefore, I will purchase as much as I can from Nordstrom.
I need alot of stuff too.
Take you money from under your matresses and buy stock in Nordstrom.
ticker symbol JWN
T Thorax O'Tool October 2, 2008
“Thorax, You hate the Nordstrom men’s department; you don’t like Microsoft; and you hate Apple. Please don’t tell me you hate puppies and cupcakes too. Hello, Cupcake has great ones, by the way, and they’re quite local and friendly.“
I hate none of the above.
The Apple thing is simply because I find Mac to be too dumbed down for my own needs. No biggie. I dislike MS because of the reasons I mentioned earlier. No biggie. I don’t like Nordstrom’s because their sales lady insulted me. No biggie; deterring my patronage was their fault. You don’t insult your customers… it’s a poor way to run a business.
All are valid reasons not to do business with said institutions. Just because I won’t give them my hard-earned $$$, it doesn’t mean I hate any of them. I mean, if you thought a Kia was an inferior product and you didn’t want one would that make you a Kia hater? No.
We all have institutions we won’t patronize, at least I have reasons behind my blacklist.
Oh, and I like puppies. Not so big on cupcakes, they’re awfully sweet.
But I don’t hate them.
R RR Anderson October 3, 2008
just because a corporation is local doesn’t mean the sunshines out of their ass 24hrs a day.
Amazon and Microsoft are good examples. Nordstrom may cloak itself in good deeds, but at the end of the day they are still agents of the bourgeois and actively working towards the decadence and frippery of American youth.
also, lets be real. Hello cupcakes taste like frosted teddy bear fur… only instead of frosting it’s toothpaste.
Real men put real butter in their confectionery. Anything else is fit only for a raft of sexless creatures.
Hail to the revolution baby.
M Mofo from the Hood October 3, 2008
Okay, I think I’m all set to go to the Nordstrom Grand Opening. I just got home from K-mart where I bought me some brand new Fruit-of-the-Loom (that’s a darn clever product name) 100% cotton underwear (6 v-neck shirts and 3 boxer shorts) plus two long sleeve semi-dress shirts. Total cost before tax: $36.00.
R RR Anderson October 3, 2008
I’d rather stay home and paper-cut shark gills into my pet kielbasa sausage than go to any grand opening at a shopping mall.
T Thorax O'Tool October 3, 2008
Nice robot, RR.
All this makes me wonder something. Now, obviously Nordstrom must have sufficient regular customers to not only keep our location open, but to warrant the new one.
What percent of Tacomans actually shop there regularly? I know a good portion of their base will come from surrounding cities like Lakewood, Fife, Fed Way, etc…
But outta like 202,000 of T-Town folk, maybe 1%? 2%?
M Mofo from the Hood October 3, 2008
Yeah, how about that that brand new building? Built from profits? No bank loan necessary?
J Justin October 3, 2008
Clearly I gave you too much credit RR and your post @33 is EXACTLY what launched my “fed up” comment @6. You rip the corporate execs, you rip the big national companies, you rip regional companies, and now you rip Hello Cupcake…which is about as local and small business as you can possibly get. What’s next? Maybe you should trash the YWCA for not serving local organic yogurt or maybe go after King’s Books because their cash register tape comes from Office Depot and is made in China.
And I’m sorry, but it doesn’t matter how many 50 cent words you use, if all you’re doing is blasting people it won’t ever sound intelligent.
D dni October 3, 2008
Justin; We all have something to “sell”, and thank God we don’t have to buy what everyones selling.
Given the economy, and the fact that so many of us are employed in retail, in one way or another, I say to hell with it and lets just have a month of eating out, endless shopping trips, (downtown and Nordstroms – love that store~, and Rocky & Cocos, and Dame Lola, and my list can go on and on…!) and mortgages be damned! Lets spread the wealth people…
M Mofo from the Hood October 3, 2008
Like Nordstrom, Mr. Anderson risks that one can be determined, yet despised.
T Thorax O'Tool October 3, 2008
A month-long spending binge will solve nothing. As long as our (and by “our” I mean the National) economy is 2/3 based on consumption, even the slightest drop in credit availability or confidence will start a negative feedback cycle.
…which we’re already seeing. What’s really going on in the broader economy is the end of a multi-decade credit orgy. Honestly, we’re already knee-deep in a recession that certainly looks like it’s gonna be rougher than anyone under 70 remembers.
Due to that, people aren’t going to spend as much, and certainly luxury items (plasma TVs, Xboxes, etc…) and luxury retailers (sorry, but that includes Nordstrom) are going to hurt bad. Some of them may have to file chapter 11 at some point. The well-off who can afford them will still shop there, but us working stiffs won’t be able to justify $80 for pants… even if the credit cards aren’t maxed out.
If big, national retailers are going to suffer, it will certainly be harder on small, local guys. If anything, we should be spending more wisely for the duration of the storm. Forget Nordstroms, though they are “local” they’re also all over the country. Forget Kentucky Fried Chicken. We ought to help out the local establishments, the mom-and-pop businesses rather than national chains every chance we get.
In tough times, businesses will fail. I’d rather see an out of state company crumble or a national chain based in a city 35 miles away fail than see my neighbors’ dream die.
D dni October 3, 2008
We are just one big world full of consumers.
Speaking only for myself, I like to think that failure isn’t an option when you have a dream. Its what is inbetween that makes it or breaks it.
In the meantime, if I can, I will shop wherever I please. Freedom is a wonderful thing.
S Sassy McButterpants October 3, 2008
I like supporting local businesses. I feel like half my paycheck these days goes to a combination of Infinite Soups, Corina Bakery, and The Mixx.
But I also enjoy a pilgramage to Nordstrom or a yummy kids meal at Popeyes chicken. I guess I’m Bi-Shopxual?
T Thorax O'Tool October 4, 2008
If one is in a financial position to spend a significant portion of their monthly earnings, then who am I to stop them?
However, it bears in mind to mention that a significant portion (perhaps even the majority) of people are not in that same position.
It used to be that we made whatever we consumed and had leftovers for export. Now we make hardly make anything in the US and consume more than anyone else in the world.
We can’t rely solely on retail to power our economy, the fallout we see now is a symptom of that issue. Until we become a country of savers and producers again, we’ll be owned by the corporations and foreign banks.
That is not freedom; it is indentured servitude.
R RR Anderson October 4, 2008
Greetings happy mutants and fellow armchair comrades: if you’d like to see an acceleration into a new and exciting age, here is some advice delivered to you free of charge.
Stop buying.
Stop buying things you don’t need.
It’s that easy!
Even if a small portion of folks all decided to stop buying shit, this sucker is going down.
Save your damn money for a change. You’re going to need it.
Do you know how happy not having to deal with the mall parking lot can make you?
Besides, you don’t want to hang out in the mall! Where do you think all the crazed gunmen go? Duh, to the mall!
The mall is private property. You forfeit your civil liberties when you go in there. What fun is that? Yer darn tootin its no fun!
choose the fun thing. choose the super thing.
stay home. Enjoy a free television program on PBS. Learn something. Go to the library. Go often to the library. Join one of those religions where they don’t believe in Christmas or birthday presents. You’ll save a butt load of money just by doing that! Sure you don’t have to believe, you’re just joining for the excuse!
The folks at the mall are friendly, But they’re not your friends. Not your friend like i’m your friend. No, your false-friends at the mall want your money. Why should you give them YOUR money? They should be giving YOU money to not puke all over the phony interior decoration.
but hey, maybe buying stuff is a nice distraction from all the unhappy things you’re reading in the newspaper… that’s cool too. hey good luck with that 401k.
Eye of the Tiger!
R RR Anderson October 4, 2008
Darn it… how’s this for a campaign slogan?
SAVE YOUR MONEY, FOR A CHANGE.
T Thorax O'Tool October 4, 2008
While it isn’t completely possible (nor necessarily wise) to totally cut off spending, it is certainly the smart move to be more frugal, cut the credit cards and do something that Americans have forgotten how to do:
Live within your means.
And if $80 pants aren’t within your means, then Nordstrom will just have to deal with less customers.
D dni October 6, 2008
I totally agree with not spending money on credit. I refuse to give credit card companies my cash.
Just an FYI to y’all. I did imbide in a little Nordstrom yesterday and you can’t tell from its floors that there is an economy problem out there! There were people everywhere, and they weren’t just lookin’.
C crenshaw sepulveda October 6, 2008
dni, maybe they were shopping there to buy some warm coats and gloves for the many homeless people on our streets.
E Erik B. October 7, 2008
Here’s RR Anderson’s latest Tacomic to add to the discourse here:
D dni October 7, 2008
Perhaps Crenshaw, they were. I was pretty shocked to see such a crowd.
T Thorax O'Tool October 8, 2008
Don’t forget… we’ve been hit only lightly thus far by the Panic of 2008. Our strong economy has certainly helped soften the blow.
But now that the blows are getting too hard and frequent to ignore, I still think many people are in denial about the long, rough road ahead. Yes, we’re special here in the great green metropolis of Pugetopolis.
…just not special enough to be immune to global economic woes.
Like I said, if you can afford Nordstroms, then good for you.
But I wonder just how many of those people dni saw were spending on credit cards money they don’t have (or don’t have the means to pay back).
S Squid October 8, 2008
When Nordies loses money it’s because of their product mix, not a recession.