Shopping & Services

Two Tacoma liquor stores still up for grabs

Submitted by Halley Griffin, KOMO Communities Reporter
Thursday, May 17th, 2012, 9:32am

Miss this spring's online auction of state-run liquor stores? Never fear - you still have a chance purchase your very own liquor store.

Two Tacoma liquor stores will be back up for auction next Thursday, at the Washington State Liquor Control Board's distribution center in South Seattle.

A central Tacoma liquor store, located in the old Hollywood Video site near Target, is one of two up for auction. The other is located at S. 72nd and Pacific.

Next Thursday's auction will distribute the rights to 18 state stores after the top bidders in March's online auction failed to pay their posted bids.

Bidders have paid out $25.9 million for the rights to 149 state stores sold earlier this year. The remaining 18 require a bid deposit of $10,000, says the agency.

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Froyo headed to Westgate

Submitted by Halley Griffin, KOMO Communities Reporter
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 9:40am
Froyo headed to Westgate

North Tacomans, get ready - this summer is about to become your season of frozen yogurt - because Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Shoppe is headed for Pearl Street.

The Gibson's crew is hard at work with last minute preparations, stocking yogurt and toppings, training employees, hanging signs, and crossing their fingers to be able to open tomorrow.

Gibson's is expected to open its second frozen yogurt shop at 5916 N 26th St., near the Westgate shopping center. This new shop will include a drive-thru for froyo lovers on the go.

The first Gibson's opened last Valentine's Day at 8 North Tacoma Ave, with eight rotating self-serve flavors and about 30 different toppings.

The shop is family owned, described by business manager and co-owner Judy Jones as a "mom and pop shop."

Since its opening, the shop has been wildly popular - enough so, that its owners are able to expand their business.

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Cash mob Sixth Avenue today

Submitted by Halley Griffin, KOMO Communities Reporter
Thursday, May 10th, 2012, 8:30am
Cash mob Sixth Avenue today

Rumor has it there'll be a luau on Sixth Avenue today.

The details are sketchy, but one this is for certain: this is another installment of the grassroots, Tacoma-loving, local business-supporting Tacoma Cash Mob.

We first told you about Tacoma Cash Mob back in March, when the group was first forming. Since then, the (sort of) mysterious organization has gained more than 1,000 Facebook "likes," and held two mobs - gifting Proctor's Teaching Toys and Antique Row's Millesime Designs.

The businesses are kept secret, with mobbers given only a time and location in advance. Today's instructions have mobbers meeting at 4 p.m. at Taqueria Las Torres (known more commonly as the Sixth Ave taco truck) for a cash mob. Or a luau. Or a party. Or all of the above.

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PSE gas rates to go up on Monday

Submitted by KOMO Staff
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 2:12pm
PSE gas rates to go up on Monday

Those who get natural gas service from Puget Sound Energy will starting paying a bit more for the service.

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission approved PSE's request for a 1.3 percent increase in natural gas rates on Monday. The new rates will take effect next Monday, May 14.

The new rates would see the average PSE customer see their bill go up by just over a dollar to around $89 a month. In all, PSE hopes to raise $32 million a year from the increase in natural gas rates from its entire service area.

PSE serves more than 1 million electric customers and 750,000 natural gas customers in 11 counties, with half of its total customers in King County.  PSE also serves King County customers from a number of service, fleet and operations centers in Bellevue, Bothell, Kent, Redmond, Enumclaw, and Renton. It serves Seattle with only natural gas service.
 

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New life for old Borders building

Submitted by Halley Griffin, KOMO Communities Reporter
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 10:25am
New life for old Borders building

A massive building on S. 38th St. that has been sitting empty for the past year finally has a new tenant.

Ashley Furniture HomeStore will soon be occupying the former site of Borders, according to signs recently hung from the building.

The 32,000 square foot building was vacated last year when Borders Group filed for bankruptcy protection and began closing "underperforming" stores. The bookseller has since gone completely out of business.

The signs simply say "coming soon," and advertise some good news for locals looking for work: the new store is hiring. Call (877) 314-8457 or email recruiting@ashleyhc.com.

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Spotted at Metropolitan Market: a little Pont 21

Submitted by Halley Griffin, KOMO Communities Reporter
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, 10:22am
Spotted at Metropolitan Market: a little Pont 21

Tacoma KOMO tipster (and mother!) Rebecca Young sent us this iPhone photo of an exciting addition to the Metropolitan Market shelves.

They've been stocking 21 Cellars' releases for a few months now, and we're exciting to see the Pont 21 Cabernet Sauvignon move from the special display racks to the regular shelves. 

Go check it out! Or swing by 21 Cellars every Saturday between noon and 4 p.m.

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"It's all about the dress" this weekend

Submitted by Halley Griffin, KOMO Communities Reporter
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012, 10:00am

It's all about the dress this Saturday at the University of Puget Sound Field House.

Hosted by Goodwill and UPS's Office of Community Engagement, the event brings more than 3,000 prom, wedding, evening and special occasion dresses to the Field House, many of them worn just once or never at all. Prices start at just $19.99, and the event runs all day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuxedos, shoes, accessories, veils, sashes and more will also be available.

“We’re excited to host this event in such a large space – the field house is perfect to showcase the huge inventory of dresses,” said John Nadeau, Goodwill’s director of retail sales, in an announcement about the event. “This space will allow for a really fun atmosphere! We’re talking racks and racks of colorful dresses of all sizes and styles, plenty of fitting room assistance, two areas set up with three way mirrors to model dresses, seating for friends and family, and refreshments will be available.”

Make sure to check out the video above for a slideslow preview of some of the merchandise that will be available. For more, visit www.tacomagoodwill.org.

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