Local

Recent openings, closings and other updates to Pierce County's business scene

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of curated articles highlights recent changes to Pierce County's business scene.

In Tacoma, Artist Craftsman Supply filed for bankruptcy but plans to continue operations while confronting financial hurdles. Meanwhile, legal conflicts arise as a proposed oyster bar in Purdy challenges Gig Harbor's denial of sewer service. The lawsuit is part of a longtime effort to establish the restaurant.

Heritage Distilling closed its tasting rooms, including in downtown Gig Harbor.

Soulberry Coffee House and Dry Speakeasy opened at 2310 Court A in downtown Tacoma in December 2023. By Kristine Sherred

NO. 1: DOWNTOWN TACOMA COFFEE SHOP, NA BAR HAS CLOSED PERMANENTLY

Soulberry Coffee House, which also offered an array of nonalcoholic drinks, has closed after just two years at 2310 Court A in downtown Tacoma. | Published December 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

The new Artist & Craftsman Supply will occupy the 5,000-square-foot Wagner Motors building on St. Helens Avenue in downtown Tacoma. By Drew Perine

NO. 2: BELOVED DOWNTOWN TACOMA CRAFT STORE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY. WHAT WILL THAT MEAN?

A large arts-and-crafts store that has been a downtown Tacoma staple for nearly a decade has filed for bankruptcy, The News Tribune confirmed this week. | Published December 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

A rendering from Helix Design Group shows the design for the Laguna’s on the Bay building, including two floors with a seafood restaurant, retail and office space. By Minterbrook Oyster Company

NO. 3: COMPANY TRYING TO OPEN LONG-AWAITED OYSTER BAR SUES PIERCE CO. CITY OVER SEWER

A company seeking to open an oyster bar and seafood restaurant in Purdy has filed a lawsuit against the city of Gig Harbor, challenging the city’s denial of sewer service to the site. | Published January 2, 2026 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

Final Boss Game Lounge in Auburn is Washington’s first 21+ console-only gaming lounge.

NO. 4: GAMING LOUNGE OPENS, SWIM SCHOOL CHAIN ADDS TACOMA LOCATION, AND RESTAURANT NEWS

Washington’s first 21+ console-only gaming lounge opened in Auburn. | Published January 12, 2026 | Read Full Story by Minnie Stephenson

Oregon-based Perlo Construction has a new office at the Tacoma Centre, 1145 Broadway.

NO. 5: PORTLAND-AREA CONSTRUCTION FIRM SETS UP SHOP IN TACOMA DOWNTOWN OFFICE

A Portland-area construction firm now has operations in Tacoma. | Published January 15, 2026 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

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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. 6: POST ALLEGES RAT INFESTATION AT THE SOUTH HILL MALL. WHAT DO INVESTIGATORS SAY?

A social media post circulating this month alleged that the South Hill Mall has been dealing with a rodent infestation. | Published January 20, 2026 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

Heritage Distilling Co. previously served whiskey and cocktails in their tasting room at 3118 Harborview Dr. in Gig Harbor, Wash., pictured Thursday, March 27, 2025. The company closed all of their tasting rooms at the end of 2025. By Julia Park

NO. 7: HERE'S WHAT IS REPLACING HERITAGE DISTILLING IN DOWNTOWN GIG HARBOR

A new business will take over the piece of downtown Gig Harbor real-estate formerly occupied by Heritage Distilling Co. | Published January 19, 2026 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

TerraCotta presented this rendering of its condominiums planned for “Site 15” at Point Ruston at a Ruston council meeting Tuesday.

NO. 8: INVESTMENT FIRM PROMISES $500M IN POINT RUSTON DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING CONDOS

Officials with a California-based commercial real estate investment firm have big plans for finishing Point Ruston, the luxury mixed-use development that caps a Superfund site. | Published January 26, 2026 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

A ‘Coming Soon’ sign marks the exterior of the future Couple of Scoops location at 5500 Olympic Dr. NW, Suite H-103 in Gig Harbor, Wash. The store expects to open May 1, 2026. By Jim Ciaciuch

NO. 9: ICE CREAM STORE WITH 50-FOOT CANDY WALL, ‘NOSTALGIC’ DESIGN COMING TO PIERCE CO.

A new ice cream and candy store featuring two dozen flavors and lots of dairy-free and gluten-free options is coming to Gig Harbor. | Published January 25, 2026 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

Co-founders Makoto Eyre and Julien Lombardi decided battery-grade graphite was the most profitable and the most imperative CO2 output, due to the United States’ growing reliance on foreign sources for the material.

NO. 10: TACOMA CARBON CONVERSION STARTUP LANDS MAJOR INVESTMENT FROM SAUDI-BASED COMPANY

A Tacoma-based carbon-conversion startup has received international attention — securing a major investment from a Saudi Arabia-based company to continue turning carbon dioxide waste into much-needed materials. | Published January 27, 2026 | Read Full Story by Minnie Stephenson

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.