New farm-to-table bistro and public market planned for Pierce County. Here’s what we know
Downtown Gig Harbor could get a new farm-to-table bistro in a space that used to be an Italian restaurant if a meeting between the potential owners and the city goes well.
Bella Femmina, an Italian restaurant formerly at 3108 Harborview Dr., permanently closed its doors in September. They first opened in October 2020.
Bella Femmina announced on Facebook Sept. 2 that it was closing.
“We would like to invite all of our community family and friends to enjoy our last week open to the public,” the post said. “... Myself along with my staff would like to say thank you in person for these past few years and share our exciting plans for the near future.”
The post went on to say that the family wants to focus on their catering business, Crave Catering.
Now the old Bella Femmina building might become a public market with a farm-to-table bistro, general store and more. Starr Hall and Bruce Hillenbach, who own two other businesses in downtown Gig Harbor, are behind the idea.
In July they opened Arch and Starr, a vintage boutique at 7807 Pioneer Way. In September they opened One:11, the gentlemen’s shop at 3104 Harborview Dr.
‘Mini general store’ could return to Gig Harbor
Hall recently posted in a few Gig Harbor Facebook groups that they have their eyes on the old Bella Femmina building for their public market idea.
“We are considering leasing the old Bella Femmina building to create a vibrant Public Market that will be a hub of culinary delights and local treasures,” her post said. “Picture this: a swanky bar that exudes sophistication, a farm-to-table bistro that tantalizes your taste buds, a cozy coffee house perfect for catching up with friends, and even the possibility of a juice bar and sweets shop to satisfy your cravings.”
They’d like to collaborate with local farmers to offer local goods in a “mini general store” area of the building, she said in the post.
Before the couple meets with the city, they asked for input about the concept on social media, including how often people would visit.
Responses varied from once a month to once or twice a week, according to the comments on Hall’s social media post.
It’s been almost a year since the Harbor General Store suddenly closed. Residents who responded to Hall’s post seemed excited that something similar might return to downtown Gig Harbor.
“We need this so badly,” one person commented. “I can’t even begin to say how happy this would make me.”
Another person wrote: “We NEED a general store.”
Some in the comments were concerned about parking.
Hall responded to those comments by writing: “We would have 10 parking spaces but that is where we might have issue with city ... that might be a deal breaker.”
Those designated parking spots are across the street in a gravel lot.
The couple scheduled a meeting with the city for Feb. 14, Hall told the Gateway, to show city officials sketches of each section and the square footage each would be, ask them for a list of everything the couple would need to do and how much it would cost to pull this off, and discuss any options to create additional parking.
The couple has not signed a lease yet, but has talked with the landlord about the idea.
This story was originally published February 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
