10 business closures across Tacoma in 2024

Business closures in Tacoma throughout 2024 highlighted rising operational costs and shifting consumer behaviors. Even long-standing entities struggled to sustain amidst economic pressures.

Larger chains, like Jack in the Box and Advance Auto Parts, reflected a broader trend of downsizing or restructuring to adapt to a rapidly changing market landscape.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Chitarrine gamberi e vongole is homemade square pasta with prawns and clams in a lemon cream sauce. Photo taken in Tacoma on Thursday, April 15, 2021. By Drew Perine

NO. 1: ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT PUSHED TACOMA’S BOUNDARIES FOR JUST MORE THAN 4 YEARS TO CLOSE

The owners pointed to volatility in customer traffic and staffing as reasons that led to the closure. | Published February 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

Dancing Goats Coffee manager Krystal Aguilera (left) and Krista Bentow, the company’s retail operations manager, prepare the new coffee house for opening day on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in downtown Tacoma. By Pete Caster

NO. 2: COFFEE SHOP CLOSES IN DOWNTOWN TACOMA. ‘WE THOUGHT MOMENTUM WOULD BE THERE EARLIER.’

“The guests that did come through our doors, we were so happy to serve. We just needed twice as many,” said the company’s operations director. | Published April 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

F.O.B. Brewing opened in 2017 in DuPont, near JBLM, eventually adding barbecue to the menu. It will close Saturday, April 20, 2024. By Kristine Sherred

NO. 3: VETERAN-OWNED BREWERY THAT AIMED TO SERVE MILITARY ‘AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM’ IS CLOSING

The owners chose the location for its proximity to JBLM, “but it hasn’t worked,” especially in light of pandemic challenges and rising costs. | Published April 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

Pomodoro owner Erin Behnke (center) preferred to have her photo taken with her staff, including multiple generations of the same family and many employees of more than 20 years. They gathered at the Tacoma restaurant on Saturday, July 13, 2024. By Kristine Sherred

NO. 4: IT’S TIME FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN PROCTOR AS LAST-STANDING ITALIAN RESTAURANT TO CLOSE

“I wasn’t exaggerating in my post that combined I have over 100 years of contributing to success of Pomodoro,” said owner Erin Behnke. | Published July 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

A sign informing guest of the permanent closure of the last Shari’s Cafe and Pies located in Tacoma sits posted in a window on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Tacoma, WA. By AMBER RITSON

NO. 5: BYE, SHARI’S. FAMILY-STYLE RESTAURANT CHAIN KNOWN FOR PIE CLOSES ITS LAST TACOMA LOCATION

There is one remaining restaurant in Pierce County, with a smattering of others in nearby counties. | Published July 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

Delish Bakery closed in Steilacoom at the end of September. A few blocks south near the ferry landing, Berry Dock Ice Cream Shop also closed. By Courtesy

NO. 6: TWO SWEETS SHOPS HAVE CLOSED IN THIS WATERFRONT TOWN. ONE HOPES TO REOPEN ELSEWHERE

The bakery had known since the spring that a closure was imminent, but it’s unclear what led the ice cream shop to shutter. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

It’s Greek To Me, 1702 6th Ave., will close in November after 34 years in Tacoma. The owners of Balloon Roof Baking Co. have bought the building. By Kristine Sherred

NO. 7: TACOMA GREEK RESTAURANT KNOWN FOR FILLING GYROS, CHEESY PIZZA TO CLOSE AFTER 35 YEARS

The owners have leased the building to a local bakery. They’ll keep cooking at their new-this-year burger truck. | Published November 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

An abandoned car rests on blocks inside the fenced-off parking lot of a closed Jack in the Box restaurant at 6702 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma on Nov. 13, 2024. By Craig Sailor

NO. 8: FROM HOT TACOS TO HOT MESSES: JACK IN THE BOX LOCATIONS CLOSE ACROSS TACOMA, LAKEWOOD

Four locations in Tacoma quickly have become eyesores. | Published November 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor Debbie Cockrell

Advance Auto Parts announced this week it was closing hundreds of stores. A state notification Friday indicates several Western Washington locations are included in that plan.

NO. 9: ADVANCE AUTO PARTS PLAN TO SHRINK NUMBER OF STORES IN U.S. INCLUDES WESTERN WASHINGTON

State notification says 100 employees affected; layoffs set to start early next year. | Published November 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

South Hill Mall in Puyallup is set to lose major retail anchor Macy’s this year, as the retail giant announces its latest wave of store closures.

NO. 10: MACY’S CLOSURE OF ‘UNDERPRODUCTIVE’ STORES INCLUDES SITE AT THIS PIERCE COUNTY MALL

The national retailer previously announced a massive sweep of closures with latest list released Thursday. | Published January 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.