Business changes and other updates in Tacoma's North End

The curated articles focus on business updates and other news in Tacoma's North End, including multiple boutiques that are closing this month.

Recently, a new Proctor taproom opened with house brews and events like trivia nights and music bingo. The historic Blue Mouse Theatre is getting an update, replacing old seats to improve accessibility and function. Meanwhile, community support has grown for a nearby village offering transitional housing solutions.

Seats are removed and renovations are made to the Blue Mouse Theatre to make the theater ADA-friendly and increase comfort, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: HISTORIC THEATER IN TACOMA’S NORTH END MAKING SOME BIG CHANGES. HAVE A LOOK

Upgrades to improve seating as well as offer more flexibility with multipurpose use in mind. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Marissa Byron, a lead beer tender with Narrows Brewing, pours a HWY 16 Lager at the brewery’s new taproom in the Proctor neighborhood on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 2: BREEZY NEW PROCTOR TAPROOM ALREADY BUZZING. LOOK FOR TRIVIA, FOOD TRUCKS, MORE

The brewery joins four other Tacoma-based breweries that have grown to secondary locations. | Published July 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

Flames spew out of the mouth of Steve LaBerge’s dragon, which will make its annual appearance at the Tacoma Porchfest parade, as he operates the creation in his driveway on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 3: MEET THE MAN BEHIND TACOMA PORCHFEST’S ICONIC FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON

This weekend marks the 4th annual Tacoma Porchfest, the free music festival where about 280 bands take over Central and North Tacoma. | Published July 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Sarah Jane Hoppe stands by the Tiny Art Gallery on Cedar in her front yard on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. The gallery rotates in new art monthly and largely highlights local artists, Hoppe shared. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 4: FREE LITTLE ART GALLERIES ARE HIDDEN IN TACOMA NEIGHBORHOODS. HERE’S WHERE

If you aren’t looking carefully, you might miss it. | Published August 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

After more than 10 years in Proctor, the Tacoma Blue Goodwill Boutique (located at 2520 N. Proctor St.) will be closing on Sept. 30, 2025. By Becca Most

NO. 5: AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE, TACOMA’S NORTH END GOODWILL BOUTIQUE TO CLOSE. WHY?

After more than 10 years in Proctor, the Tacoma Blue Goodwill Boutique will close at the end of the month. | Published September 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Andrea Foster, owner of True Muse Boutique, poses in front of her brick-and-mortar, location at 2603 N. Proctor St. in Tacoma, Wash., on Friday, May 19, 2023. By Becca Most

NO. 6: ANOTHER PROCTOR WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE STORE IS CLOSING THIS MONTH. HERE’S WHY

A women’s boutique shop known for its colorful clothing is closing in Tacoma’s North End after opening a little more than two years ago in Proctor, its owner confirmed with The News Tribune this week. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Tacoma Emergency Micro Shelter (TEMS) 3, one of a few shelter stability sites established by the city during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 7: ‘GOOD PROOF OF CONCEPT.’ NORTH END VILLAGE MAKES GAINS AGAINST HOMELESSNESS

Over nearly four years, the City of Tacoma has paid roughly $2.5 million dollars to maintain a tiny-home village for the homeless in the North End. | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cameron Sheppard

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