South Tacoma Connections: Markets

Exit 133 is pleased to welcome Timothy Smith to our band of contributors. He will bring an additional seasoned voice from the South Tacoma community and a unique perspective on local events. We look forward to bringing you more of his work. – Dan

An essential element of any urban residential setting is the local grocery market – something my area of South Tacoma has been sorely lacking for some time. I’m happy to report that this is about to change.

The soon-to-open Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, just east of South Tacoma Way at South 56th and South Puget Sound Avenue, is the latest connection in a story that goes back to the very earliest days of the area. South Tacoma has a strong history of locally-owned specialty shops and markets.

When the railroads arrived in the early 1900’s, they carried produce, dairy, and meat products from a nationwide network on steel connections into Tacoma. A vibrant manufacturing and warehousing system in South Tacoma supported this industry and reaped the harvest of goods brought here on the iron horses. When rail cars needed repair they came “home” to South Tacoma, often still containing goods needing to be rapidly sold to prevent spoilage. Thus, a vibrant “buyer’s market” existed in the adjoining South Tacoma Business District, with items available in abundance of variety and quantity.

The small market method lasted into the early 2000’s, when the oldest butcher shop in Washington State (reportedly) closed on South Tacoma Way, followed by the shuttering of the Red Apple grocery market soon after. The freeway and Tacoma Mall negatively impacted small stores by funneling traffic away from South Tacoma Way. So too did the hyper-residential development along major arterials to the west, in University Place and the East Side of I-5. Some smaller neighborhood markets lingered on, such as Caribbean Breeze on 54th Street (currently owned and operated by well-known city council meeting “Public Comment” participant, Alton McDonald). That store persevered through the tough times, providing basic essentials to local elderly and shut-ins in the otherwise single-family-house blocks surrounding it.

The City of Tacoma explored the idea of bringing a major grocery chain to the area, but had no success. Dollar Store filled the space for a few years, and uncharacteristically stocked a majority of food items. They, too, closed a few years ago. Once again, South Tacoma was left without a large local market. Despite the heavy volume of traffic passing directly in front of the vacant building, the typical model for national grocery chains is mega-markets in much larger buildings. However, this past summer brought us one of the most successful and highly-attended Farmer’s Markets in the city. Just as the rest of the South Tacoma Way Business District is seeing a new renaissance, we now have this welcome addition.

Grocery Outlet specializes in small-to-medium size stores, locally-owned and focused on filling the demands of the customers in that particular area.
I was able to speak with Howard Byrne, of Federal Way, the owner of this and other Washington grocery stores. He explained that Grocery Outlet stores sell a variety of discounted products, including major brands, overstocked items or those scheduled for repackaging. This store will also have a large wine selection and fresh organic fruits and vegetables. The store will be able to provide unique products suited to the local area. If you want something stocked, you can email a request to Howard at sotacoma @ groceryoutlet.com.

When I visited a few days ago, I saw the store undergoing an extensive renovation, being stocked with its first non-perishable products and installing and testing an updated checkout system. Their new street sign is on display with a ribbon cutting planned for the evening of Dec. 15th and a soft opening scheduled for Dec 16th at 8AM. Be there early for give-aways and door prizes. A full Grand Opening is scheduled for 8 Jan.

For those of us “locavores”, this market helps fill a much-needed gap in the Historic Mixed-Use residential area were proud to call our neighborhood. This part of South Tacoma already offers affordable housing, free parking, great food and
entertainment. When the Sounder Commuter Station is completed, visiting from the north will be that much easier.