Popular Tacoma gift shop to close after the holidays, with big sales
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Hive Company will close Dec. 28 after its landlord declined to renew lease.
- Owner Michele Jones cited sewage damage, repair disputes and relocation uncertainty.
- Store plans holiday sales, maker pop-ups and a farewell party before closing.
About a year and a half after Hive Co. opened its doors, the Tacoma gift store will close Dec. 28 after its lease wasn’t renewed.
Owner Michele Jones told The News Tribune on Wednesday she wished the shop could stay open at 5436 South Tacoma Way, but after her landlord informed her they would not be renewing their lease, she doesn’t know where or if she would be able to relocate. In an Instagram post announcing the closure last month, Jones said, “This was not a decision we wanted or chose.”
Hive Co. had its grand opening in April 2024, though Jones operated other small businesses in the building since summer 2021.
Jones said she was told her lease would not be renewed beyond May 2026 after she asked landlords to compensate her for losses she incurred when someone hired by her landlords sprayed sewage in the shop while they were repairing a plumbing issue in September. Jones said the property owners have also come under fire from the city of Tacoma for unpermitted work.
In response, one of the building owners, John Pugh, told The News Tribune in an email that they were surprised to learn from social media that Hive was closing at the end of the month.
“Her lease is not terminated and in fact is supported by a grant from the City of Tacoma that has paid half of the rent through May of 2026,” Pugh said. “We have some unexpected old pipe repairs required to the building that will require the landlord and tenant[s to] work cooperatively in a professional manner and are continually seeking to resolve. We have been working collaboratively with the City of Tacoma as to the repairs to find solutions that create the least impact.”
Jones said her landlords “were not ‘surprised’ to learn that Hive would be closing” and in fact “encouraged us” to close earlier than May.
In response, Pugh said on Friday, “We stand by our previous statement.”
In recent years, Jones said, she’s watched the South Tacoma Way corridor bloom with more foot traffic thanks to new businesses like Howdy Bagel, Fernseed, Juniper Bar, Bluebeard Coffee, Outer Orbit Arcade, the Spider Shoppe and non-alcoholic bottle shop Sober AF. Hive became a go-to place for customers looking for gifts and artisan goods produced by small makers, she said.
“Honestly, on Black Friday and small business Saturday [we logged] an insane amount of hours. We were in the shop 30 hours over the course of three days,” Jones said. “The conversations I’ve had with people around closing have been so bittersweet.”
New customers are often shocked to learn the business is closing, and regulars have told Jones how sad they are. Jones said the business community on South Tacoma Way has been supportive.
Although Jones’ lease isn’t up until May, she plans to close at the end of 2025 because the next few months after the holidays are generally slow for business.
Through the end of the year Jones hold multiple events. This weekend a local maker’s pop-up will be at Hive, and customers can take 35% off all items on Saturday and Sunday, she said.
Other events this month include macrame ornament making, a cookie-decorating party, a Santa parade and holiday street fair. Jones anticipates throwing a goodbye party at the shop on the last day she plans to be open, Sunday, Dec. 28.
“I’m hoping that in the sadness that it also feels a little joyful,” she said. “I have always seen Hive as a family, community. My friends literally help me open it. They’re going to help me close it.”
