New craft shop comes to Tacoma, event venue opens at local restaurant, biz news
A new shop in downtown Tacoma offers craft classes, local art and gifts.
Natalye’s Nook opened May 9 inside Sanford & Sons Antiques at 743 Broadway, Unit 203, joining the stores known as the middle-floor merchants.
Described as a “craft collective,” Natalye’s Nook features crafts and other goodies from local artists, including shop owner Natalye Cohen.
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Inside the store, customers will find items like keychains, bandanas, bags, crochet art, poetry books and more.
Cohen also will teach regular collage classes for $25 a person, featuring both adults-only and kid-friendly classes.
Natalye’s Nook is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Event venue opening inside Tacoma restaurant
The Poet, a new event venue, opened Sunday inside Manuscript, a modern Italian restaurant in Tacoma’s Stadium District, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The venue takes up the back room of the restaurant and can be accessed via an entrance at 202 St. Helens Ave.
Inside The Poet, there’s a small stage, a side lounge and big windows looking out towards Commencement Bay. The venue is available to rent and can be used for live music, classes, workshops, private parties and more.
The capacity is 200 people, and up to 60 people with tables and chairs set up.
Owner Leah Browning has moved her photography studio into the space, which is also available to rent.
Cake shop now open at Museum of Glass
The Cat & Rabbitt, a popular local cake shop, officially opened at the cafe at the Museum of Glass, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The slice shop first opened in Tacoma in 2020 but relocated to Puyallup in 2022.
The new Tacoma location opened in partnership with the deli Sliced, which opened at the museum earlier this year.
The Cat & Rabbitt offers cake slices in rotating flavors like marionberry-grapefruit and Cherry Chip Birthday. The bakery’s popular cinnamon rolls will be coming soon.
More additions to downtown Tacoma
Armchair Boogie Records is set to open early next month in downtown Tacoma, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The store was started by local musician Matt Kimball. It will move into Savoy Special Vintage at 740 Broadway.
Kimball told The News Tribune his shop will feature a small, curated collection of records and feature in-store live music.
Hours will be the same as Savoy Special Vintage — open 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays.
Over on St. Helens Avenue, Continuum Vintage had its soft opening earlier this month at 713 St. Helen’s Ave., Suite 111, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The store, which offers vintage clothing and accessories, is available only via private shopping appointments, but it will also host monthly pop-ups for walk-in shoppers.
Appointments will be available starting the week of May 25, owner Aleasha Posey told The News Tribune.
Continuum Vintage started as an online shop in 2021, and eventually Posey started selling her collection at a vintage store in Seattle, before opening in Tacoma.
Tacoma waterfront restaurant closes for the second time
Johnny’s Dock at Thea Foss Marina and Landing shuttered late last month, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The popular restaurant first closed in 2020 but re-opened under new ownership last summer.
The new Johnny’s Dock served seafood, American fare and Indian dishes like pakora and tandoori chicken.
Roy Kissler, a majority owner of the property on East D Street, told The News Tribune that the tenant fell behind on rent and other payments.
Gig Harbor pub closing this month
O’Looney’s Irish Pub in Gig Harbor will close May 30, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
“With heavy hearts, the time has come for new adventures for the O’Looney’s family,” a message on the restaurant’s website and social media reads. “Saturday, May 30th will be our final day in business, and we hope you’ll join us for one last Irish blowout and goodbye before we close our doors.”
The pub at 3222 56th St. first opened under the name Dunagan Brewing in 2021 but rebranded to O’Looney’s in 2023.
The menu included Irish staples like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and Scotch eggs.
Owner Joe Brockert told The News Tribune that he closed the pub for financial reasons.
