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It's often pretty easy for residents to get used to and comfortable with the quirks of their own town. Tacoma's no different and I ran across one when a couple ladies asked me a question a couple days ago. Not all the quirks can be solved (cough! donor wall) but there certainly are ways to guide people to all the great attractions our city has to offer.

While Sarah and I were wrapping up our lunch hour downtown we both waited for our separate trains at the Union Station Link stop. Although I barely noticed them at first, two ladies carefully studied the route map for the Link. One finally approached and asked for some help. She said they were looking for some place with lots of little shops someone else recommended they visit. I figured they were aiming for Freighthouse Square so I told them which train and which stop to take. What really struck me, however, wasn't that I was surprised Freighthouse was a tourist destination but it was that these ladies were here to visit our wonderful museums but couldn't because it was Monday and they're all closed.

They said they drove all the way from Lynnwood (about 50 miles north, which is more if you consider the Seattle traffic they had to plow through) and had meant to stop by Tacoma for years. It's a shame they're greeted with only closed museums but even more a shame they didn't have anyone else to help give them ideas on other things to visit.

It would be great for the city or visitor's bureau to get together with some willing volunteers that could be "Ask Me" folks available around town. They could carry pamphlets, maps, and be mobile enough to walk someone far enough to truly help them where they're going. I'm not talking kiosks here but real people on the street with signs or bright shirts that say "Ask Me". Heck, if they don't want to carry pamphlets and maps buy a couple Segways and let them toot around on those. Whatever the case, the real Tacoma visitor's center is too far off the beaten path (do you even know where it is? yeah, bottom floor lobby of the downtown Marriott) to be useful for many folks.

"Ask Me" guides could wander around the Bridge of Glass letting folks know how to weave through the arch toward Pac Ave to get some food. They could be near the base of the 19th Street steps to help people know what's up the steps or where the Link can take them. There's plenty of opportunities and I think utilizing local resident's love and knowledge of this town would help add to the appeal of visiting. I'm sure it would've made those ladies from Lynnwood feel like they came down for a reason.

Heard from a tipster that the Old Milwaukee Cafe on Sixth Ave. maybe expanding. I'm told the beauty salon next door is now going to be part of the cafe. I'm ashamed to say this is one place I've yet to visit in town but hope this is a sign they're doing well and for a good reason. Don't know if there's anything visibly in the works but feel free to send any pics if you notice anything.

Thanks!

Update (@ 7:56pm)
More over at GritCity

Saw a sign on the side of local downtown oddity/gem Premium Motors on the way home and it looks like they're moving. Can't say I blame them on purely security-related grounds but it'll be sad to see all those pretty, pretty cars go. Too bad they won't be able to bask in the afterglow once the upcoming Dome District autopia LeMay Car Museum is finished. I'm sure, if business is good, they probably need a little more space for their dollar which I'm sure they'll get outside of downtown.

Without reading the entire sign (I was busy driving, OK?) I did catch that they're heading to 2403 S. Tacoma Way [ map ]. I'll attempt to grab a pic while driving by tomorrow and will be sure to post anymore deets about what may be happening to their corner of Puyallup and A Street [ map ].

All I know is I'll miss that little red Karmann Ghia convertible I see parked outside there most of the time. Makes me pine for a future where my own Ghia can run free with the other automobiles. Sigh...

Update (2006-10-05 @ 8:22am)
Got a better look at the sign in their window and it looks like they'll be opening up at their new spot Oct. 16. Dunno if they'll have all their cars moved by then. I may have to stop by their current place to see if they'll let me snap a few photos before they go.

Reliable NoDo (North Downtown, like it?) tipster and man on the street Erik sent me an email that Pita Pit is now open. The place is at 921 Pacific (closer to 10th and Pacific, behind that small parking lot) and should add nicely to our choices for lunch and dinner downtown and it sounds like they opened up tonight. Can't say I've ever been to a Pita Pit but I'm always down for trying something twice. Once to give them a shot and twice to check for consistency. ;) Guess the folks I've worked with over at Rusty George can now just head downstairs and out their door to grab themselves a tasty snack. "Luhkey!"

Been there yet? Lemme know what you think in the comments below.

Thanks Erik!

Previously on KFnet

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