Tickled Pink is back. Here’s where the new gift shop will be and when it will open
The familiar pink doors of Tickled Pink will reopen in downtown Gig Harbor just a short distance from where they were before.
The owners decided to close the doors to all remaining Tickled Pink gift shops May 29, 2023, including in Gig Harbor, Ruston and Poulsbo, and to reopen as Direction Apparel.
The Port Townsend location, the original Tickled Pink storefront, closed about five years ago, the Gateway previously reported.
Tickled Pink was known for its bright aesthetic and miscellaneous gifts. Direction Apparel is a local clothing company that offers more maritime and Northwest apparel and goods.
Not even a year after closing, the owners are bringing Tickled Pink back, just to Gig Harbor.
It will open inside the former Gallery Row space at 3102 Harborview Dr., which happens to be right next door to Direction Apparel and the original Tickled Pink storefront at 3026 Harborview Dr.
Karrie Polinsky, who runs all the stores, told the Gateway the owners had a change of heart.
“The cool thing is, this space next door to us came available,” she said. “Our customers in the community told us they missed Tickled Pink a lot.”
The location was a big factor in the owners’ decision, she said. The foot traffic waterfront businesses get encouraged them that it would be the right decision.
Tickled Pink crew works to reopen gift shop in new location
Tickled Pink staff have been working to get the store ready the last two weeks or so, Polinsky said.
They’ve repainted all the exterior trim, added pink doors, and removed the black and white awnings that were above the doors. Soon the exterior brick will be freshly washed, and the Tickled Pink sign will be mounted on the building.
Polinsky described the look as “fresh and clean, and lots of light.”
She said curious walkers have stopped to ask what’s going on inside.
“We are just so excited,” she said.
Tickled Pink Gig Harbor will make its pink and sparkly return in the next few weeks, according to Polinsky.
They’ll start off with winter hours. They’ll be open six days a week, most likely closed Mondays, she said. You’ll be able to visit Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors can say hello to the shop dog, Lucy.
Polinksy said they’ll still offer gift-type items, such as greeting cards, jewelry, books, stickers and more.
They will add a larger collection of graphic tees with funny sayings, created at their warehouse. Visitors will also find some new jewelry brands inside, she said.
