Owner sells vintage shop and men’s store in Gig Harbor. Here’s what will replace them
Vintage boutique Arch & Starr General Store, a small business in downtown Gig Harbor that offered a collection of rare finds, home goods and antiques, has sold to a new owner, according to the business’s social media posts.
“There is a new owner coming in, and let me just tell you, you are going to be super excited about the concept,” Arch and Starr’s owner, Starr Hall, said in a video posted on Sept. 14.
The store will become CURATED-Gig Harbor under new owner Tiffany Brooks. Hall handed over the keys to the store at 7807 Pioneer Way on Sept. 20, according to Brooks.
CURATED will have a completely different interior, but will keep some of Hall’s inventory that Brooks purchased with the store, Brooks said. Still a retail store, it will have “the feel of a high-end gifting boutique” with items mainly sourced from small businesses, she said.
The idea behind CURATED is that gift-giving doesn’t need to be anxiety-inducing or overwhelming, a personal belief that has guided her through years working in luxury retail and hospitality — including as a personal shopper.
“I love gift-giving,” Brooks said. “I always have a gift closet in my house. It’s just kind of my thing I’ve done forever . . . I really love making people feel special.”
Brooks said she plans to host workshops around different holidays to help people curate their own gift baskets with items from the store. Customers will be led to a certain area of the store where they can choose desired items. Then they’ll select the vessel to hold the items and get it gift-wrapped.
Staff will help customers decide what to choose, and ask a short list of questions to figure out how the customer wants the recipient to feel when opening the gift.
“What’s the emotion that you want them to have when they open this box?” Brooks said. “Is it a 50th birthday and it’s funny, is it an anniversary gift and you want to evoke a sense of memories and bring some tears to people’s eyes? Is it a baby gift?”
Brooks said she has applied for a beer and wine license for the store. Pending approval, they’ll be able to host drink tastings. She also hopes to host live music events.
The goal is to open by November, in time to participate in Gig Harbor’s annual shopping event, Shop Social (previously Girls Night Out), according to Brooks.
Arch & Starr was part of the big plan Starr Hall had for Gig Harbor when she arrived from Santa Barbara, California and opened the store in July 2023, The News Tribune reported. Hall named the store for her beloved Pomeranian, Archie, and stocked it with art pieces, gifts and apparel she curated herself from traveling across the world.
Hall also opened a men’s store called One:11 at 3104 Harborview Dr. in September 2023, The News Tribune reported. It sold men’s apparel, grooming essentials, antique gifts and more. It also had a speakeasy barbershop where visitors could get a haircut and enjoy a drink.
One:11 has also been sold — separately from Arch & Starr — to a new owner who is a men’s clothing designer, Hall said in posts on One:11’s Instagram account.
At one point, Hall also considered leasing a space at 3108 Harborview Dr. for a public market and farm-to-table bistro. The space is where the Italian restaurant Bella Femmina used to be. Bella Femmina closed in Oct. 2020, The News Tribune reported.
Hall posted on her personal social media that she is moving out of state. The News Tribune wasn’t able to reach Hall for an interview.
This story was originally published October 2, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
