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Sun. July 16, 2006, 09:50am PDT
TNT: "Eclectic, electric Sixth Avenue"
The Tacoma News Tribune has a glowing article about the current and future promise of our locally beloved Sixth Avenue. It doesn't go into tremendous details nor is a directory of the area but it gives a sense of past, present, and future of the area. While out at Art on the Ave last week we sure did notice even more shops and restaurants than we ever had and we are in the area somewhat frequently.
My hope, however, is that it doesn't become so big that it's only accessible by Tacoma's top 1%. With more raw bars like Hell's Kitchen and a good selection of spots with "normal" people food and drink, it seems like Sixth Ave will continue to be a good place for all Tacomans to have a night out. I wonder, though, if (aside from a streetcar) there are any businesses or types of restaurants missing from this area? What do you think?
Comments (19) | To Top
7/16/2006 @ 10:39am
Restaurants and bars seem to be covered, I've got several choices if I need a tattoo or some LPs...so I think we're good there. I'm probably way off in left field with respect to "hip" businesses, but I would honestly love to see a greengrocer and a meat/fish market--these would serve the neighborhood residents well, and we are the people who on a day to day basis patronize the existing businesses.
by jamie
7/16/2006 @ 11:19am
Incidentally, isn't this article, like, 2 or 3 years behind the curve? The article on "hashing", now there's a story...
by jamie
7/16/2006 @ 11:39am
Hehe, yeah. Can't say the Trib is always on top of things around here. I agree -- local market stores seem to be the missing ingredient on Sixth Ave and downtown. I vote Trader Joes.
by KevinFreitas
7/16/2006 @ 12:02pm
I'm all cool with Trader Joe's, except for it creeps me out that for some reason all of the produce is packaged in plastic. I'm thinking something more in the vein of the Golden Pear at Freighthouse (or whatever it's called) would be better---fresh LOCAL produce. But maybe that's just me...
by jamie
7/16/2006 @ 12:40pm
While I like Trader Joe's generally for its wide range of organic products at low prices, I'd rather see the Tomboy Neighborhood Market at 6th & Junett improve the quality and variety of its offerings to match its prices - especially regarding produce, beers, and snack items. I think it would be ideal, even dreamy, to have most of the items stocked from local growers, brewers, roasters, dairies, etc...
by Wildono
7/16/2006 @ 1:41pm
The "local to local" thing would be killer. Having some walk-up features might be nice too with produce outside with awnings that can swing open and shut like Stadium Thriftway or Tacoma Boys.
by KevinFreitas
7/16/2006 @ 8:53pm
I don't live anywhere close, but definitely more produce markets... and maybe a pet store might be interesting. Oh, and better parking for some places might be nice.
by Roxy
7/16/2006 @ 9:11pm
There is a new "you groom" pet place on Sixth we saw. If it wouldn't take tearing down houses, it'd be really cool to have some green space or gardens. Maybe a community garden.
by KevinFreitas
7/17/2006 @ 6:21pm
Great comments on the 6th Ave Neighborhood Market. I like the awnings idea and local should be first choice, do doubt. John Loesch, the owner, would be interested in hearing your ideas. He is usually there until 5 pm or so. He is also very active in the Business District. Stop by and talk to him.
by Claudia Riedener
7/17/2006 @ 7:12pm
Since the Sunriser has closed the one thing 6th Ave is missing is someplace good for breakfast! I don't know what they're doing with that Ricardo's (formerly Lorenzo's) building but it would be nice to see a general, family-friendly, "American Food", breakfast/lunch/dinner type of place. Someplace, as Kevin suggested, 'normal' people could eat anytime versus the somewhat destination locations that exist now.
by Angela
7/17/2006 @ 8:11pm
Claudia: thanks for the info! In-person feedback is great but it's really helpful to have folks voice some ideas on a website like this first. Gets things out in the open.
Angela: breakfast = good! It'd be great to have something between Knapps and the Mandolin where you could get some great coffee drinks, something good to eat but (unlike Knapps) not in such a dark, booth heavy atmosphere.
by KevinFreitas
7/18/2006 @ 7:51am
Ricardo's was bought out by the owners of Asado, who I believe are converting it to a Mexican or Southwestern place.
On the topic of breakfast, though, the Sunriser was never my favorite. Talk about gut-bomb city. For my money, both Old Milwaukee and Shakabrah both offer a better breakfast than the Sunriser ever had, and both are still open. But have good atmosphere, but very distinct from each other.
Finally, on the topic of Neighborhood Market, I totally agree that it does have a lot to offer and has room to grow. As I was walking down to catch the bus to work the other day, I was thinking that they could use a little bit more space. How about we get Schuck's to clear out and the market can move in there. (The building was originally a Safeway.) The frontage on Pine St. could be restored and they could set up the sort of produce section that spills out onto the sidewalk...
by jamie
7/18/2006 @ 7:53am
Please excuse my gross overuse of the word "both" in paragraph 2.
by jamie
7/18/2006 @ 7:56am
Uno mas...Ricardo's will be becoming a "high end" Mexican place. We saw a drawing posted on the door yesterday of the completed exterior remodel, and the name "MASA" was written across the front...not sure if that is a working name or whether that's set in stone.
by jamie
11/17/2006 @ 12:10am
at the 6th ave market we are always trying to keep our customers happy, if anyone ever has a need we are almost more thing willing to assit. Feel free to contact me or my father if you guys ever have a issues or would like us to offer something that we dont
fritz
2532786997
by fritz
4/10/2007 @ 12:17am
You know, progress on 6th ave isn't all that great. I was displaced from my home on 405 6th ave downtown in the name of progress. I live on a musician's salary so I couldn't afford to fight to keep my home. Now I live in a dump on south Tacoma. You all want to see a new grocery store (wich may be going in my old home thanks to Troy Christianson who co-owens Asado) and newly renovated condos spring up down town, but don't forget those who are hurt by it. Call it progress if you would like, but I'll call you what I would like.
by Swimmersear
4/10/2007 @ 12:18am
Sorry about the angry comment but good people are being hurt in Tacoma.
by Swimmersear
4/10/2007 @ 7:07am
Swimmersear: You're totally right and I hope our business and elected leaders listen to that perspective. I think with issues like the Winthrop they're really trying to work with folks that live there now to help them smoothly relocate. Progress is necessary but should be sensitive to the impact on everyone -- not just those that stand to make some future profit.
by KevinFreitas
4/10/2007 @ 4:42pm
Thank you Kevin
by Swimmersear