DB: Buying Local

103 comments

• J jamie from thriceallamerican March 11, 2008

  So, uh, where can I buy me a new MacBook?

• J Jenyum March 11, 2008

  A child’s baseball glove.

  Maybe it’s possible but I lack time to thoroughly research it today.

  What is this list all about? I cannot find your last post. Perhaps you might link to it, as I can’t seem to find the search function on Exit133 anymore, either.

  What is this “trusted few” business. I do not understand what is to be gained by exclusivity. I guess I don’t get it. Please elaborate.

• K KevinFreitas March 11, 2008

  I want to be on this list, whatever it is! Yea. And SiteCrafting.

  Care to explain a little more?

• J jamie from thriceallamerican March 11, 2008

  I, for one, am absolutely not to be trusted.

• I intacoma March 11, 2008

  Dang DB your on all their nuts! Great list!

• D Dmitri March 12, 2008

  I found out about this too late for the list, but I do have a few:

  Proctor Shoe Repair
  Corcoran’s Locksmith
  Lincoln Hardware (the last truly independent hardware store in town, I believe)
  Leroy’s Jewelerzs
  SiteCrafting
  The late, lamented Gary’s Steak Out
  Primo Grill
  Wildside Wines (way out west off 6th Ave.)

  And, of course, under the list of people:

  Joe Izenman (noted urban pioneer)

• G gritcitygirl March 12, 2008

  this list is a celebration of great things in our community! lighten up people. add something to the list and feel good about the city we live in.

  what are we missing? a drug store. rankos is great but we need more than one. and somewhere like target thats not big box.

  i look at that list and feel great about where we live.

• S Sassy McButterpants March 12, 2008

  I love this town. Don’t get me wrong.

  But I LOOOOOOOOVe me some Target as well. Don’t make me stop shopping at Target.

  Hello Cupcake, woot woot.

• C Crenshaw Sepulveda March 12, 2008

  jamie, you can get a new MacBook at the UWT Bookstore. Actually a good many things are available the the bookstore.

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  out of habit I generally do not trust laundry lists of businesses or people who are labeled as ‘trustworthy’ by shadowy figures from the underworld.

  but that’s just the amateur anarchist/skeptic/atheist in me talking.

• E ensie March 12, 2008

  I appreciate the spirit of that the list was made in, but in creating and publishing a list like this, all you have done is made a lot of people and businesses feel excluded.

  Yeah, it’s great for the people in the list. But a list along these lines can never be complete, as it grows and changes constantly. You’re pitting people and businesses against one another and causing unrest in the community, and not in a good way.

  To publish something like this you are setting yourself up for failure. It’s not about “shopping local”, it’s about some sort of bullshit street cred that doesn’t exist.

• E ensie March 12, 2008

  PS – Can you tell me what bands are cool to listen to now?

• E ensie March 12, 2008

  Oh shit. Satellite Coffee isn’t on here. I can’t drink their coffee?

• F frinklin March 12, 2008

  Damn, I didn’t make this random and completely arbitrary list made up by a guy I’ve never heard of? Who do I have to kill to get on this?

• E ensie March 12, 2008

  Hi Erik,

  I don’t think that db would necessarily agree with you.

• E ensie March 12, 2008

  After all, it’s his list, and he may have purposefully left off those things.

  You have to create your list.

  Don’t you know.

  This is the problem with lists.

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  we have a list. Who will check it twice? who knows who has been naughty or nice?

  the list is in ya mind!

• S Suzy Stump March 12, 2008

  If you stare at the white spaces between the words in lists you get a glimpse of eternity.

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  well are we dealing with an unordered list or an ordered list? When I am king people will be made to use definition lists… all other lists will be forbidden.

  furthermore.
  the last thing I’d like to see is anybody on feedtacoma creating lists of their own. We must stop the arms-list race. It is a game only the industrial list complex will profit from.

  Make love, not lists!

• S Sassy McButterpants March 12, 2008

  Make Love, not lists!

  That’s hot.

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  @ 22

  m i s s i o n
  A C C O M P L I S H E D

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  is being bluelisted an activity worth pursuing? It remains to be seen.

• M Mummah Bird March 12, 2008

  Remember, “Begs the question: is there any reason to trust one’s own understanding and be compelled to voice an opinion regarding the integrity/trustworthiness of our local merchants?”? Ok, I’ admit that with the accumulated years of experience of the wisest(whoever they are!) of those who made harmoneous submissions, there is likely some merit to your compilation, Mr.DB. (Barring any blind hysterical loyaties.) I was glad to see a number of the mentionees listed, and also happy to see that a couple of business folk I feel are significantly lacking in integrity did NOT make this list.(I will not list them here however. Unlike your compilation, THAT would be militant.) So I say take this list or leave. I doubt it was compiled in a spirit of mean-ness. Now Daniel, get yourself over to Marlenes to pick up some body lotion lest your skin get too thick!

• M Mummah Bird March 12, 2008

  Ooops. Can’t type. Meant to say “take this list or leave IT”. Don’t leave! Sorry.

• M Mofo from the Hood March 12, 2008

  Man, if I had a nickel for every Pride of Tacoma list I was on, I’d have 5 cents.

• M Mofo from the Hood March 12, 2008

  Well I just checked my cupboard and I’m down to one last can of Yangtze Bridge Condensed Turtle Soup.

  Any local recommendations? This is the 10.5 fluid ozs. can. Net weight 300 grams.

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  Mofo, you’re friends with Republican by Default… why wont he let me comment on his blog anymore?

• E ensie March 12, 2008

  Hey RR – I fought for you on 5Views. He’s a fascist. What can you do?

• P Phil March 12, 2008

  Senior Craft Store next to the Helm. Made in Tacoma/Pierce County. Sold in Tacoma/Pierce County. All by real live neighbor folk.

• M Mofo from the Hood March 12, 2008

  RXR @29:

  Look, I’m an artist. I make existential art. Every word I write on these blogs is part of my real-time novel “Idealism in Tacoma.”

  By the way, I stopped in at The Helm on Sunday and I didn’t see the Spiderman drawing.

• C Crenshaw Sepulveda March 12, 2008

  Yangtze Bridge Condensed Turtle Soup, hmmm I think I saw a couple cans of that at the C&K market on St. Helens. If Charlie is out of stock I’m sure he’ll order more. If he C&K’s stock is insufficient you might consider the bodega on Tacoma Avenue around 13th. Man, do they have some exotic products in stock.

• C Crenshaw Sepulveda March 12, 2008

  Wow, a tough crowd tonight, if this were a reality TV show I would swear they were about to vote Daniel Blue off the island.

• S Sassy McButterpants March 12, 2008

  Crenshaw @ 34

  EEEK!

  The Exit133 commentators barely clothed and food starved!? Come man, let’s not even let our imaginations go there. uuugh.

  Kittens.
  Puppies.
  Fairies.

• P phillyG March 12, 2008

  I don’t know (or care) about the popularity contest listed above… but I really like the idea of getting people to think about if there is any real reason NOT to shop locally.

  There has not yet (in all 35 comments) been anyone who has answered the question asked…“name a product you usually purchase, or have purchased, from a big box store that I can’t find from a locally owned business”.

  I can’t think of anything… anyone else?

• A Andrew Campbell March 12, 2008

  @36, amen. DB is dead on with this one, and from the sounds of things, he’s gonna be a lonely guy up at Blackwater… SOMEONE give him something, I mean, you get to prove us wrong AND you get a cup of Tacoma’s best beans… do it. Surely someone must want to take a jab at the absence of the $55 115” plasma flat screen in Tacoma??

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  ensie @ 30

  Ensie, you’re a real a spitfire! Never let anybody take that away from you.

• R RR Anderson March 12, 2008

  Mr. Blue,
  Are you ready? I’m about to win this contest.

  Where can i purchase an authentic THOMAS KINKADE: MASTER OF LIGHT painting with CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY in Downtown Tacoma?

  It’s a Trick question! /teh only place you can get one is in a licensed THOMAS KINKADE: MASTER OF LIGHT dealer. And as everybody knows the only place one exists is in the TACOMA MAUL!

• D Droid16 March 12, 2008

  Thomas Kinkade: Master of Light makes a person feel as though they are right there, along the florally vibrant, recently rained upon cobblestone pathways to an Olde English cottage tucked neatly in the back of a far away land, twenty minutes after indulging in a naturally grown but dangerously poisonous substance which has them in the firm grip of the hallucinogenic properties it provides.

• J jamie from thriceallamerican March 12, 2008

  Crenshaw helped me find my MacBook at the UW Bookstore (which in retrospect, I knew, but didn’t think of at the time).

  But I don’t think anyone has found Jenyum’s child’s baseball glove from @2… Anyone?

• E Erik Hanberg March 12, 2008

  @41. Jamie—the sheepskin store? It might be the most comfortable baseball glove ever if they have one. :)

• P penelope March 13, 2008

  WOW, I didn’t expect so much militancy and venom to surface over a conversation about honoring Tacoma’s local businesses and community heroes. Good suggestion Crenshaw about the UWT store and mac book. A Mac store would be great here!
  Thanks Philly G for bringing us back to task. Some of us would like very much to hear what you’d like to find Downtown, so that we can support you with the “Powers at Be” and try to recruit what you want here. Some of the harsh comments about “popularity contests” and “street cred” are just pure vicious and juvenile. If you don’t find yourself on the list, maybe you should get the word out better about just what it is you do. “build it and they will come” is pure FOOLISH! Let’s all put down the rocks and start adding to the list, so that some of us can gain new experiences and make new friends, maybe you’ll be one of them.

• P Paul Sparks March 13, 2008

  In any truly Appreciative Inquiry a single community member’s list begins a process of inclusion. By naming strengths, resources, and partners that come to mind one person catalyzes the memory and imagination of others. A second list is added, then a third, and fourth – until the list of connections and possibilities begins to demonstrate the nearly unlimited potential that lies all about waiting to synergize with others.

  All that is required is a bit of trust on behalf of participants… The confidence that the naming of one does not mean the defaming of another… The confidence that if one is honored it is honoring to us all… The confidence that if one’s gift is named, it is only to encourage the naming of others.

  When I read this post, I hear a hopeful dreamer who wants to ignite the imaginations of friends in community – not an exclusionary tyrant trying to marginalize the masses.

  I, for one, kinda like the second list offered by DB. It expanded the small scattered list from the first offerings and invited us to dream for even more. A challenge was offered – If we pooled together all the assets and strengths in our town, is there even one thing we could not offer?

  Some people prefer not naming anyone or anything (politically correct, boring as hell, uninspiring)

  Some people prefer trying to name everybody (a task reserved for the Omnipotent)

  I like DB’s idea – continue the list that was contributed by others as the beginning of a process of inclusion. Don’t stop encouraging additions to the list until we believe that all the gifts and resources necessary for a sustainable existence lie among us.

• J Jenyum March 13, 2008

  Erik @42, I had no idea such a store existed, thank you for pointing that out.

  Unfortunately, they do not appear to sell such a product, at least according to their website. I can call tomorrow, but since I can’t find any locally-owned sporting good stores in Tacoma that would sell such an item, I believe someone owes me a latte. Which is cool, because I could totally use a free latte.

• M Marguerite March 13, 2008

  Well said, Paul.

• P penelope March 13, 2008

  Thanks Paul, very inspiring. Keep it up DB.
  BTW, RR, does being “blue listed” mean I’m ON the list or OFF? Just curious.

• R RR Anderson March 13, 2008

  Penelope yeah “BlueListed” is an attempt at humor suggesting a connection to the famous “BlackListed” of McCarthy’s house of UnAmerican Communist Witch-hunt whathaveyou.

  It is still to early to tell if being
  ON/OFF the list is AHEAD/BEHIND the trend.

• E Erik B. March 13, 2008

  Penelope yeah “BlueListed” is an attempt at humor suggesting a connection to the famous “BlackListed” of McCarthy’s house of UnAmerican Communist Witch-hunt whathaveyou.

  I sense some sort of combined art show/project with RR and DB on “BlueListing.”

• E ensie March 13, 2008

  Paul @45

  My concern is that some folks in out community have taken this idea and run with it, shaming others for not being local enough. I wrote about it in my blog post on both hands, and I’ve commented about it here.

  Regardless of the initial intention, what the hell is the point of making a list if there aren’t people/businesses/things that are on and off the list? Or in and out? Or cool and not cool? Or whatever you want to classify them as? This is controversial and not PC, by your own admission. And is bound to cause controversy – obviously.

  Penelope @43

  As I noted again on my own blog in discussion with other commenters, where exactly does my position within a Fortune 500 company fit into a list like dbs’s? Or anyone else’s small business supporting list?

• R Rick Jones March 14, 2008

  Okay…a propane patio heater. Like the kind they have at Crystal outside the lodge. I’ve always liked Blackwater and its coffee.

  Some of these posts read rather shrilly. Like the cartoon woman who’s seen the mouse. What are you afraid of?

• S Sassy McButterpants March 14, 2008

  These comments are reminding me of a long ago Comment of the Week by Mofo from the Hood, which stated

  Just think of E133 as a mixer with a no-host bar. You can indulge yourself as much as you want here and the next morning everybody pretty much wakes-up, shakes their head and says, “What was that all about.”

  I’m already shaking my head.

• G grubedoo March 14, 2008

  This PC-make-everyone-happy-all-inclusive-bullshit really chaps my ass.

• R RR Anderson March 14, 2008

  This comment thread has degraded into a travesty. It’s a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham.

  AND Why does everything here need to end with a Rusty employee chapping their ass?

  Let us atleast find solace in the fact that we are all (wo)men who are passionate about the smelly, arsenic laden patch of coastal region we all inhabit more or less.

• C Crenshaw Sepulveda March 14, 2008

  oh god, now i’ve got the image of rusty george’s chapped ass stuck in my mind, i’ll never be able to get to sleep. now there is a product i dare you to find in tacoma, some balm for all the chapped behinds. i think someone owes me a cup of coffee.

• P penelope March 14, 2008

  Just let it Go. If we were all PC there would be no use for an f’ing blog. Do you want a vanilla world???

• G grubedoo March 14, 2008

  Balm for chapped behinds can be found at any store carrying baby products. I’ve had to apply it liberally.

• J Jenyum March 14, 2008

  When are we going to get back on topic and talk about my free coffee? I don’t joke about free coffee.

• C Crenshaw Sepulveda March 14, 2008

  Nothing like free coffee, until a short while ago I had this nice stack of “Free Batista Drink” cards for Tully’s. Sadly they are all gone now. Life is cruel, free coffee helps.

• R Red Hot Snap Dragon March 14, 2008

  Get a clue, It’s not Daniel’s list!

  Elsie, Elsie, Elsie,

  You were invited to create the list. It is not Daniel’s list. If you weren’t so quick to judge and jump to negative assumptions, you’d calm down, take a moment to read his call for comments from the week before and your response on this blog would be far more intelligent. You remind me of that annoying twit who only half listens to a conversation and then interrupts with a comment that sidetracks everything positive and is completely unproductive.

  Back to the productive conversation Daniel brilliantly sparked: For those of you that care about buying local lets get back to the goal of the list, the idea was to introduce one another to new local businesses. Knowing local business owners and caring enough about them to shop at their stores is a vital economic driver in communities like Tacoma.

  A collaborative list is a pretty good place to start. By sharing we help our business friends by spreading the news that their lil’ ole shop exists. And we all benefit from seeing new business that we have not visited.

  Oh and Daniel is not a fascist. He has an iPhone that he got at a Mac store. He’s a logical guy that was smart enough to stir up this brilliant and controversial blog post. Why brilliant? Because he inspired all of us out of our apathetic daze, to read and comment on this important topic for days and days and days!

• J Jamie Chase March 14, 2008

  I always loved Heel Shoe in downtown Tacoma and wished more people knew about it before it closed. I feel the same about Stadium Bistro.

  Others on my current list:

  Savi Day Spa (locally owned, good peeps)

  Sound Credit Union (not-for profit, owned by the people of Tacoma, Kandi is awesome.)

  Spirit Portraits by Tacoma painter Robbi Firestone

  Capers (downtown and on Proctor)

• S Sassy McButterpants March 14, 2008

  If we’re still allowed, I would like to add Bad Boys Bail Bonds to the list.

  Ty, the proprietor, is such a rare bird in his profession, treating his clients with respect and kindness.

• E ensie March 14, 2008

  Red Hot Snap Dragon @61 –

  A. My name isn’t “Elsie”

  B. The fascist comment on #30 was in reference to another completely different topic on another blog.

  Your comments make me think maybe YOU should calm down and pay a little more attention. But thanks for the advice.

• R Rick Jones March 14, 2008

  Ensie saw another mouse!

• E ensie March 14, 2008

  Or a rat. Whatever you want to call it.

• M Mofo from the Hood March 14, 2008

  Sassy @ 63:

  Bail bondsman? By any chance are you in one of them girl gangs?

• R Red Hot Snap Dragon March 14, 2008

  Ensie-

  Glad you got the bigger picture and made a positive contribution this time.

  Back to the list:

  Cans (another great spot)
  LeRoy Jewlers (oldie but goodie)
  Over the Moon (yummies)

  I’m still waiting for Ensie’s additions to the list. All the people who love your snarkiness are waiting too. Even our debate is a good thing. Jump in with a recommendation, Ensie…..

• I I'm for Change (for tacoma) March 14, 2008

  My list includes Doyle’s!

• E ensie March 14, 2008

  I don’t respond well to peer pressure.

• T tacomachickadee March 15, 2008

  I can’t help myself:

  I found Polly Pockets at Learning Sprout today! “linktext”: http://www.learningsprout.com/

  Some of my go-to spots include:

  Sonja’s
  Black Water Cafe
  Satellite Coffee
  King’s Books
  Zoe & Friends (kids hair cut place that rocks)
  Northern Pacific Coffee Company (Metro Tacoma area)
  Stadium Bistro
  Herban Cafe
  Cavanaugh’s Coffee
  Teaching Toys
  Learning Sprout
  Paddy Coynes
  Margaret’s Cafe
  Matador
  The Harmon
  Um, Target
  Um, Costco
  Pao’s Donuts
  Homestreet Bank
  UW Bookstore
  Renaissance Cafe
  Rosewood Cafe
  Museum of Glass
  Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
  Um, Metropolitan Market
  Um, Safeway
  Um, Stadium Thirtway
  Infinite Soups
  Over the Moon Cafe
  Urban Gourmet
  The Bead Factory
  Tacoma Screw
  Johnson’s Candy
  Brown & Haley
  Everything in Freighthouse Square
  The Harvester
  Galanga
  Ravenous
  The Spar
  Commencement Bay Coffee Co.
  Um, Tully’s
  Washington State History Museum
  Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
  Mandolin Cafe
  GardenSphere
  Gray Lumber
  Portland Avenue Nursery
  TAGRO
  Every After
  Dame Lola’s
  Glenna’s
  Jade Mountain Bamboo
  LeRoy Jewler
  Fujiya
  Two Koi
  The Hub (yes, I know it doesn’t exist yet)
  Doyle’s
  The Matador
  R4 (they print things)
  Broadway Quick Stop
  Um, the Grocery Outlet
  Embellish
  YMCA
  The Bead Factory
  Primo Grill
  Il Fiasco
  Masa
  Dave’s Meat
  Neighborhood Market
  Puget Sound Pizza
  Upper Crust
  Farellii’s Pizza
  Origin 23
  Precision Automotive & Trasmission
  Dr. Block (pediatric dentist — in Gig Harbor, though)
  Blue Mouse Theater
  The Grand (I haven’t been there, but hubby has)
  Sanford & Sons
  Um, The Melting Pot
  Tacoma Art Museum
  Funkoma Vintage
  UrbanXchange
  Stanley & Seaforts
  Johnny’s Dock
  Lobster Shop
  CI Shenanigan’s
  Katie Downs
  One Heart Cafe
  Harp & Shamrock
  Pacific Northwest Shop
  Our many farmers markets …

  And … Oh, my gosh, could go on and on and on. Wait, I think I did … but I seriously could keep in going. But I need to stop somewhere … I enjoy my mix of local-local and local-chain stores … and look forward to more options. Not sure where I’d buy kid underwear other than Target at this point, but Tacoma does have a Target, even if it’s classified as “big box.”

  I’m seriously just glad that, upon reflection, while I can’t get everything at “locally owned” stores, I can get everything locally. I usually only venture north to visit friends, south to visit family and to the coast to visit fabulous people and fabulous places that battle reputations (cough … Hoquiam/Aberdeen) even more daunting than Tacoma. And yet there are many fabulous places to go if you’re seeking some small town flavor (cough … Billy’s … the Polson Museum … and so many more if you just ask me …)

• T tacomachickadee March 15, 2008

  The Meat Shop
  Cheryl the Pig Lady
  Trillium Creek Winery
  Terra Organics
  Wilcox
  Firstlight Midwifery
  Terry’s Berries
  Corina’s Bakery
  Hanks
  The Parkway

  OH, Lordy, I can’t help myself, but I must get the kids to bed … I know there’s more ….

• P penelope March 15, 2008

  AWSOME list Chikadee. Nice to see embellish on there. That brings a smile. Did you know they got “Best Salon” in the weekly for 2008?

• L lotac March 15, 2008

  I’d like to add…

  Monsoon Room
  Woody’s on the Water
  Babblin Babs Bistro
  Angelo Mendi
  The Branch Colonial House

  I confess there are still many places in Tacoma I know “of” but have not personally visisted. Seeing everyone’s lists makes me wish my economic stimulus package check would hurry up and come! I’m dying to try out The Red Hot, Top of Tacoma, Over the Moon, Herban Cafe, and more :)

• M michael g. March 15, 2008

  Is it really possible that the previous 74 posts haven’t mentioned The Tempest? Consider it listed!

• T tacomachickadee March 15, 2008

  Mmmm … you got me craving a Tempest cookie right now …

• L lotac March 15, 2008

  what – the Tempest has cookies?! how did i miss that?

• K kc March 15, 2008

  Proctor shoe repair paid $8.00 to have a sandal repaired. put it on, walked 4 steps, it was broken again.

• P Penelope March 15, 2008

  Ensie,
  I’m sorry I haven’t answered your question. Without knowing what Fortune 500 Company (not that it really matters) I’m going to take a stab at where I see them fitting into the “Local” picture. Well, they are obviously an employer, so that helps the local economy, as well as I’m sure they pay into the tax pool that supports our infrastucture. I’m going to bet that some of the employees from that said company go out to lunch near them. Maybe even some of the employees that value each other’s company might stop at a local bar on the way home to discuss what is so cool about Tacoma.All of this to me says contribution. The whole reason for it being “Go Local” is to stay away from the either/or crap. “Going Local” is about participating in, celebrating, and sustaining what surrounds us. It’s possible that whatever your fortune 500 company does, has not touched Daniel Blue or others on the ground level in a way to be appreciated. You COULD put them on the list if they are local, and we can experience them. Big, small, privately owned, corperate, government, it all connects whether we like it, trust it or not. Let’s learn to coexist.

• M morgan March 16, 2008

  Back to post number 2:

  We were looking for a soccer ball today and were forced to go to Big 5 near the mall. I’m still recovering. I don’t do well near malls.

  Is there a local sporting goods store I’m missing? Do we need one? Has everyone given up sports for blogging? Curious minds want to know.

• C Crenshaw Sepulveda March 16, 2008

  You can find your soccer ball at DTI, a soccer goods store near the Freighthouse Square, in the old Salvation Army Building. If it has anything to do with soccer DTI will have it. DTI Sports, Inc
  409 Puyallup Ave. For you history buffs, DTI was once located on the spot where the condos at 505 Broadway are going up.

• R rich March 16, 2008

  hmm, I still can’t get a Kosher “dog” in downtown at lunch time for a buck 50…….hmmm…doesn’t that sound good…….

• R rich March 16, 2008

  How’s that street vending thing going anyways?? anyways…..so, this whole shop local thing is cool and everything for the local blog people (maybe 100 people or so)….but let’s think about once again a know substance…………..so…..let’s assume that I’m up from LA for business with Russell, staying at the Hotel Murano and I for some reason, only packed one dress shirt and I spilled wine on it….crap!!! I say…..ok, I need a new one, but I only have a few minutes…thank god this is the land of Nordstroms, where I can get my favorite dress shirt……I rush to the Bellman at the Hotel…..Please, or Please, wheres your nearest Nordstroms, I have a meeting and need a new shirt…..the bellmen says, well we have a great local shop that carries dress shirts…….I say, no, won’t work, I don’t have time to go try an unknown….I NEED A NORDSTROMS……then the bellmen proceeds to get him a cab to the mall where he can find his FAVORITE shirt……….and off to his meeting never seeing any of the local business districts……..
  …let’s now for hypothetical reasons put a, hmm, Nordstroms(yeah I know, too close to the mall, but let’s just play along here…actually in portland, they have the lloyd Mall nords and a downtown too….so it can work, ok back to my story) in downtown…..let say, right in that building on Broadway that use to be some big store…but it’s on 11th & broadway…..so………rewind……oh, please or please, I ask the bellmen, where or where is your nearest Nordstroms so I can get my favorite shirt for my meeting….ok, let me show you…he takes me outside the hotel, and points to the north on broadway and says walk that direction for 2 blocks and it’s on your right side……IT’S a miracle!!! I’m saved…..so I start walking down to the nordstroms, but what I thought would only take 15 minutes takes me more than 3 hours….to walk 2 blocks…you know why, because enroute to this KNOWN big box to buy my KNOWN favorite shirt, I stumbled upon, a great little local shop, and bought my daughter a gift, grabed a quick Spicy Tuna Role and some sake…bought a piece of original art, bought my wife some jewelry, and on the way back decided I wanted some Thai and realized that I wanted to bring my wife up next time to explore the city futher…..soooooo, my whole point, shop local is great for locals who have the patience to explore new stores for the unknown, but for locals who dont’ like shopping who just want to go to a know place and buy and get the heck out, or for out of town visitors who don’t have time to look around for something they need…a known store or two works, and is a must and should be celebrated as a requirement to sustain local business…….why do you think Starbucks is so busy every morning…….it’s a known product….personally I love Blackwater……..but, for an out of town person who doesn’t know about Blackwater, they will go to the nearest Starbucks….because it’s a known product…..and I say that from experience of many travels…unless I have intel on a great local coffee shop, I’ll go search out the nearest Starbucks, because I know the product…..so, whether or not any of this makes sense, it is rather early, my point is what it always is……celebrate local, but don’t downplay the positive effects of a big box next door…….I think the perfect downtown business environment is one that celebrates local shops, and national shops…….they can, and in other cities, do coexist………..now back to my “dog”….when is someone going to get this street vending thing taken care of so I can get a “dog” at lunch…..oh yeah, you can add TrueBlue (aka Labor Ready) to the list as local……..how about the Bank of Tacoma…was that on there? or Aroma….you know….I just thought of something….why can’t the local guys create a Tacoma Merchants website that has every single product that they offer on it…so all you have to do is enter, let’s say, “Kenneth Cole Shoes” and all the local businesses that carry Kenneth Cole shoes will be listed, along with the competitive pricing and with a map so I know where to go to shop local when I buy my Kenneth Cole shoes……

• R rich March 16, 2008

  Hmmm, I’m usually pretty open minded….but, dude, that is one weird site………freakish infact…….I don’t know what to think about it……I’m a pretty simple minded person….that is just too intense to decipher…..I’m just talking about being able to buy my Johnston & Murphy shoes, or maybe some Kenneth Cole shoes in downtown……..and throw in a kosher “dog” and I’m happy….ok, well maybe a great little grocery store for fresh and natural foods…..

• M morgan March 16, 2008

  Funny- I used to work at DTI when it was in that hole-in-the-wall building on Broadway. But old Wolfgang sold the building in the Dome District. And the building is for lease. I figured he retired and closed DTI – no?

• P penelope March 16, 2008

  Nope, Two Fat Boys LLC own the building now, and the DTI business. It’s still operational.
  Rich, I agree with you on the fact that it’s nice when out of town to expect consistency. Knowing when I go out of town now, I can trust that there will be a Starbucks close is comforting to my convenience meter, but, I am always elated to find that little unique coffee shop that the locals got to. There is a balance between familiar and unexpected. If we could commit to supporting commerce locally, then maybe there would be more choices available to us closer than depending only on a mall 4 miles away. Some sort of big box, or well known alternatives would be great downtown, but I can guarantee that no one is yet ready to make the financial commitment. The #‘s and proof of probable support is not yet here. The more local businesses we can help thrive with our support, will create more of a magnet to bring in the ones you have mentioned needing. So do your part and “Go Local”. Hopefully it will build organically

• R rich March 16, 2008

  I go local only so much……frankly, local doesn’t provide everything, no matter how much this blog wants to say it does……tell me where I can buy a pair of new jeans from a local shop? frankly, local doesn’t really extend too much to men’s clothing…frankly……..and I’m talking about normal conservative clothing..not some new art fashion that comes and goes…….clothing shops from local shops dont do any sort of justice….I hear there are some decents shops for women….but not men…..once again…normal clothing for a middle age conservative male….local clothing shops don’t do justice……..and I’m not going to Goodwill…….where can I get some All Clad pans from a local shop?? Also, whether I shop at local shops or not has nothing to do with a national store moving downtown…..they are looking at population and incomes……..so, I take exception to this “MUST SHOP LOCAL” attitude…….that if I don’t I’m some how a bad person…..I don’t shop based on whether the store is local or not, I shop based on whether or not they have what I’m shopping for, how far I have to drive and let’s not forget price…….face it…..local shops don’t offer everything…get over it already…..trust me, I do my part but don’t lecture me about it until you can offer everything I would ever want to shop for…….now can we get back to the real important issue…….when is there going to be a street vender in downtown offering buck 50 kosher “dogs”????

• R rich March 16, 2008

  one last thought, with the car museum coming, Urban Waters, new tax breaks for corporate headquarters in downtown, the US Open and finally and importantly if Russell stays in Tacoma……I’m 99% sure in 5-7 years downtown will be nothing like it is today and we will finally become a normal downtown with all sorts of places to shop, local and national…….

• K KG March 16, 2008

  one of the best places I’ve traveled to is a little shopping area known as Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, PA. There, you find all kinds of local places inter-mixed with large mall-type stores. I’m waiting, but I’m not holding my breath. http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district8/html/squirrel_hill.html

  Now there’s a model to look closer at!

• M Marty March 17, 2008

  Go Local.

  It is as simple as it reads. Every opportunity that exists Go Local first.
  No one is ever going to find everything they want locally, but all that is being asked is that you stop and see what is available locally, first.

  Bruce Springsteen is coming to Seattle the end of the month. I am not going to sit here and curse the Go Local effort because it is not at the Tacoma Dome. However Seattle is local when looked upon at a national level.

  Go Local is about the decisions you make every day. If you can get a men’s dress shirt downtown then buy it at the nearest retailer that employees the most Tacoma area employees. As the demand for buying dress shirts increase, more stores will more into the market. If the Nordstroms at the mall does not sell many men’s shirts, they will not consider opening another store nearby (Downtown) until they see the demand based on how the local dollars are being spent.

  Daniel’s list was simply a list. People and business that have he has found helpful and support to HIS interests. It was not an attempt to list every business in the city. It was not an attempt define Going Local. A chance for everyone to see who’s involved. There are some names and places that made me think hmmm I don’t know them, if I meet them we have a point of discussion. “ I see you are a friend of DB. What have you worked with him on? What are you working on next?”

  We each do a part. Here are some of the people doing it. Support those who actively support Tacoma.

  Live Life. Go Local.

• R rich March 17, 2008

  Marty, I believe your a business owner………every person who lives in Tacoma, whether or not they shop “bla go local” actively supports Tacoma through many means other than “go Local blaaaaaa”……have you heard of Taxes???????????? hmm, I would say we all support Tacoma……not just a blog bunch…….and do you think nordstroms is going to differenciate between a local or national shop when selecting stats….I’m pretty sure they don’t give a crap whether or not a store in a location is a local shop or not…….so once again…..I support the store nearest to my location at the time that carries the goods or services that I’m searching for……(of course I hate Tacoma Mall, so you don’t have to worry about me going there….) but I LOVE GOING TO DOWNTOWN SEATTLE….does GO LOCAL in Seattle count???? there are some great local Seattle shops downtown seattle next to all the big bad national stores……….LOL!!!!!!……..

• R rich March 17, 2008

  oh, I forgot to finish my whole point……….establish LOCAL shops that have the goods and services that I want, nearby, and with competitive prices and I have no problem shopping local……..are the merchants still lobbying the local government to maintain that stupid parking requirement so your few local visitors can park in front of your store…or has the merchant group woken up and realize that the parking deal needs to be rid of……and the downtown developement can continue….though, a funny thing, I think the local government are so focused on Russell, they really don’t give a crap about the local merchants right now…….who provides more taxes…..the little guys or the big fish……..LOL……anyways……the weekends over….I’ll crawl back under my rock for a bit……..

• R rich March 17, 2008

  and noone has yet to update me on the downtown lunch time Kosher buck 50 “dog”………..

• C Crenshaw Sepulveda March 17, 2008

  An associate of mine has a genuine NYC hot dog cart on order and it is hoped, permits permitting, he’ll have the cart up and running downtown by summer time. If you don’t see him out there it will be because the permits for such an operation in Tacoma are both absurd or too expensive. As for serving truly Kosher dogs for a buck and a half, I’ll see if I can make the suggestion. I know they are a loss leader, at this price point, for Costco, but maybe if he loses money on every dog maybe he can make it up in volume.

• I I'm for Change (for tacoma) March 17, 2008

  So where can I get an iRobot Roomba locally?

• M Marguerite March 17, 2008

  IFC @ 97

  Craigslist!

  Local Tacomans are selling Roombas online! I’ve been watching for the one I want. So very affordable as well! Also Costco has them, but that might not qualify for local for everyone.

• C Christy March 17, 2008

  Now that our little Army surplus store on South Tacoma Way went out of business… Daniel, where can I get a sweet army issued paratrooper parachute?

  To add to the list for local stuff: Mandolin Cafe and Valhalla Coffee rosters (who have a “Save Tacoma, Drink Valhalla Coffee” intro to their website).

  http://www.valhallacoffee.net/

• M Marty March 17, 2008

  Rich @ 94
  “Establish LOCAL shops that have the goods and services that I want, nearby, and with competitive prices and I have no problem shopping local”

  Hmmm, Been there. Done that.

  Second. you should educate on the positions of the Downtown Merchants Group. I am not a spokesperson for them, but I can say many of your assumptions are wrong, including your assumption about the City and Russell Company.

  Third. Kosher hotdog: Hotrod Hotdog on Pacific next to Hello Cupcake. A great hotdog stand that Tom, the owner, the has been made out of the back of ’69 Camaro. Also the Bertiluci Hotdog stand in front of Home Depot on center. The stand is locally owned. Also Dave’s Meats on 21st has some great Hotdogs.

  Going Local isn’t just about downtown, it about going local in Tacoma.

• R Red Hot Snap Dragon March 17, 2008

  Freak yeah!

  I love Tacoma big and small.

• J Jenyum March 18, 2008

  Christy @99

  The Battlesim Store!

  S 12th and Junette

  If he doesn’t have a parachutte in stock, my husband would be happy to help you track one down. He specializes in hard to find military items.

• R rich March 18, 2008

  Cren, my mouth is watering at the thought of stepping outside the office building in downtown and grabing a true kosher dog at lunch time from a “LOCAL” hot dog cart…..that would so rock!!!!!!!I can taste it now……….

• P penelope March 18, 2008

  That Camaro tail end is actually a
  67 1/2 Marty, but good call on Hot Rod Dog.

• M morgan March 18, 2008

  Also Costco has them, but that might not qualify for local for everyone.

  Little known fact that the founders of Costco are from the Tacoma area. I’ve also heard that Mr. Mac up on MLK had/has some sort of connection with them… former partners or something like that. I think they still have family in Tacoma too.

• M Marty March 18, 2008

  The Downtown Merchants Group has been working with the BIA to remove the restrictions for street vendors so Tacoma can have carts on the streets again. Let them know if he runs into permiting problems.

  Also I went back and re-read Rich’s comment about Going Local through paying taxes and it got me thinking.

  From A News Tribune article:

  Four main of sources of income:
  sales taxes ($78.7 million)
  property taxes ($78.8 million)
  business taxes ($72 million)
  utility taxes ($65.5 million)
  Smaller sources include licenses, fees and fines.

  The numbers are from 2004 (I was to lazy to look any longer), but the picture is clear.

  About half our taxes to pay for our services are collected from local busineses. If we want lower property taxes and more City services we need thriving LOCAL busineses.

  And in this case Seattle is not local.

• I I'm for Change (for tacoma) March 18, 2008

  Marguerite @ 98:

  Thanks for the heads-up on craigslist for my Roomba. I’m lazy though and the typical American, I want it now. I’ll buy a new one at a big box store and support the local economy by supporting a business offering local employment. It’s not great, but it’s not bad either.

• E ensie March 20, 2008

  Rich,

  Thank you.