Marlene's Market Backs Out On Point Ruston
It looks like bad news for anyone who was looking forward to shopping for organic food at a new Marlene’s Market in Point Ruston. According to the TNT, the organic grocer has backed out on its agreement to open a third location as an anchor tenant at the Point Ruston mixed-use development.
Apparently Marlene Beadle, the founder and namesake of the market, is still up for the deal, but the TNT quotes her explaining that the rest of the family just isn’t up for the risk and timing of the now cancelled expansion.
The first building at Point Ruston, which houses the Copperline Apartments above several first-floor retailers, is apparently still on track to open this spring – maybe as soon as early April – along with more of the Point Ruston Waterwalk. The Point Ruston developer is actively seeing another grocer to fill the yet-to-be-developed space that would have housed Marlene’s, and plans to start construction on the first of the two condominium buildings within a month.
We liked the idea last year when we heard of the deal for the 20,000 square-foot Marlene’s at Point Ruston complete with outdoor seating. Sadly, it seems we’ll need to file this in the too-good-to-be-true folder. At least for now.
Filed under: Tacoma Business, Waterfront, Developments, Ruston Way, Point Ruston
15 comments
E Emily March 5, 2013
A year-round, covered Farmers Market would be nice. Olympia has got a great set up.
S Sid March 5, 2013
Nalley Valley would be a great place to have a year round Farmer Market. Plenty of room and industrial place.
T tacoma_1 March 5, 2013
That is an incredibly geographically isolated location for a retail shop of any kind. You are surrounded by water and hill. For any business to survive there, they would have to be a destination all by itself. It’s perfect for a hotel or apartment bldg, but no one is going to drive out to Ruston to buy groceries.
I know, Tacoma needs some more nail salons and tattoo shops, maybe something like that could go in there.
S Sid March 5, 2013
A cafe would be nice, but not a market. I Don’t like the thought of living in such a nice place and then having to deal with folks with groceries. That place should be left alone as a living area, relaxed.
J John March 6, 2013
I’d hardly call Ruston “incredibly geographically isolated”. It’s less than ten minutes from downtown, and not much more than that from most of the north end. If a cool enough place is there (and not necessarily a destinantion location), it will do fine. While I’ve never really been a fan of Marlene’s, it’s too bad they felt they needed to back out. A year-round farmers market could do very well, if set up something like Oly’s.
T talus March 6, 2013
I’m pretty sure Marlene’s would have worked there, but oh well. Maybe a Trader Joe’s, although I’d rather they moved into the abandoned Save-A-Lot on Hilltop.
F fred davie March 7, 2013
I will predict that soon we’ll be hearing that the proposed Ruston Movie Theater will only proceed if the city council waives the city admissions tax.
You heard it first here at Exit133.com
J Jake March 7, 2013
@talus I second a Trader Joe’s at the Hilltop (former) Save-a-Lot location!
J JJ March 8, 2013
I think that Sid has got a great idea for a location.
Nalley Valley I like that
E ET March 11, 2013
I would like to see Uwajimaya make it’s return to Tacoma, whether it be at this location, or any where else in the city. Another option could be Freight House Square..
R Renee March 22, 2013
Oh nooooo! My family was really looking forward to shopping at Marlene’s so near home. I live in the Stadium district and it would be under a 10 minute drive max, sans freeway. This seems like such a perfect location for those in Stadium, downtown, Ruston and the Proctor district. I’m so surprised they backed out. I WILL still go to the Marlene’s by the Tacoma Mall as I know do, but with far less frequency, as it’s not very convenient. It has a real out-of- the-way feel to it and is a bit too small for the “long” trip. Marlene’s on the water was going to be my “go to” store for all my grocery needs, as I expected it to be as large as the Federal Way Marlene’s. So sad. :-(
R Renee March 22, 2013
Really?? I was all excited to shop all organic so close to home. Now I find what I need at 3 different stores, but was looking forward to this Marlene’s having everything I needed in one stop.
T talus March 22, 2013
@13: The Tacoma Food Co-op is all organic and closer to Stadium than Ruston.
G Greg S. March 24, 2013
I really like the size of the Marlene’s in Fed Way, but rarely drive there as it’s pretty out of the way. Was hoping to use this one a lot more. Hopefully some kind of a big natural food store moves in there.
A altered chords March 26, 2013
I do not like organic food. Too expensive. They should put in a radio shack.