$41M warehouse move, Chamorro Day Festival, gin bar closing, and more.
June 17, 2025
Happy Tuesday, Tacoma. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Tacoma Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead:
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A $41M deal 💰️
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New festival 🌸
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Emo night 🎶
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
$41M Tacoma warehouse deal: Goodwill just snapped up a pair of warehouses on South Pine Street for $41 million, marking a big move in Tacoma’s industrial market — read the full details.
Chamorro culture takes the stage: The STAR Center will host the first-ever Chamorro Day Festival in the South Sound with music, dance, island food, and 76 vendors on June 21 — see what’s in store.
Tacoma gin bar says goodbye: Gilman House Room 428, the Stadium District cocktail spot known for its gin-forward drinks and cozy vibes, closed for good after service on May 24 — read what led to the final call.
Highlights this week
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Salaries keep climbing in Washington
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Washington rent hikes capped at 10%
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Join public green crab molt search training
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Explore enchanted gnome and fairy habitat
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Attend Tacoma’s Sherlock Holmes history pub
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Lawn looking rough? TruGreen’s 50% off
🫶 We got your back
Sweet tooth salvation: Need a chocolate fix? Johnson Candy Company is your one-stop shop for bonkers bonbons, decadent drinking chocolate, and so many ganache-filled delights that your dentist will both weep and cheer.
Coastal crunch cravings: When fish, chips, and that unmistakable seaside breeze call your name, Paya Thai Fish & Chips delivers golden-battered perfection with malt vinegar flair, plus the kind of fluffy chips you’ll dream about ’til your next order.
Wardrobe whisperers: From breezy linen dresses to power-shoulder blazers (and all the accessories that make them pop), Cocobolo is where your closet goes to get its personality back—one perfectly curated piece at a time.
Market magic: Why shop anywhere else when Tacoma Boys has weekly farm-fresh produce, small-batch pantry staples, and enough grab-and-go gourmet options to turn your dinner routine into something extraordinary?
Get your piece of the pie: While the market swings on trade wars and escalating conflicts overseas, gold and silver are steadily holding (under the radar). Check out this free guide for new investors and see how easy it is to tap into one of the most underrated money moves right now.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🧚 Enchanted Gnome & Fairy Habitat Walk @ Place of Circling Waters | Tuesday (6/17) at 10 am – Fairy wings? Check. Gnome hats? Double check. Join our Port biologist for a magical woodland walk with eco-crafts and creature care—perfect for curious kids (and grown-ups). Space is tight—reserve your seat before the fairies fly off.
⚾ Copa de la Diversión @ Cheney Stadium | Wednesday (6/18) at 6 pm – Rally the familia for a night of baseball, Latin beats, and ballpark grub at Cheney Stadium. This isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural fiesta with exclusive gear, mouthwatering treats, and community vibes that’ll have you waving your hat with pride. Celebrate with exclusive gear and Latin beats — your ticket includes a hat, meal, and $5 donation to local nonprofits. Be there or be square.
🎨 Spaceworks Tacoma Art Walk @ Theater on the Square Outdoor Plaza | Wednesday (6/18) at 6 pm – Grab your walking shoes and a keen eye for urban creativity! Downtown On the Go teams up with Spaceworks Tacoma to stroll through colorful murals, interactive sculptures, and revitalized storefronts. It’s a high-energy art safari that’ll have you seeing Tacoma’s streets in a whole new light. Don’t blink—you might miss your next favorite piece!
🦀 Molt Search Training @ Titlow Beach Park | Wednesday (6/18) at 6:30 pm – Channel your inner beach detective and join Harbor WildWatch for a hands-on training to spot invasive green crab molts. You’ll learn the ropes of a citizen science initiative that’s vital for protecting our Salish Sea coastlines. It’s science, sand, and save-the-ecosystem vibes all rolled into one. Seashells optional, curiosity mandatory.
🖌 Artvana Paint & Sip @ The 15% Board Game Cafe | Thursday (6/19) at 6 pm – Unleash your inner artist while sipping on coffee or wine at Tacoma’s newest gaming hotspot. Artvana guides you step-by-step through a whimsical “Summer Arrangement” painting—no Picasso required. Your ticket even covers the café fee, so you can snack, paint, and maybe conquer a board game or two. Seats are limited, so snag yours before this canvas flies off the easel.
🎉 Whalley Law Summer Fun Fest @ Vassault Park | Friday (6/20) at 4 pm – Free family fun alert: bounce houses, balloon animals, archery, and more courtesy of Whalley Law (taco truck extra, because priorities). Pull up with the whole crew and let’s make this community party the talk of Tacoma all summer long.
🎬 Midsommar @ The Grand Cinema | Friday (6/20) at 10 pm – Gather for a summer-festival-turned-horror flick where an anthropologist road trip to Sweden goes from endless sunshine to bone-chilling nightmare. Bring your bravest friend and maybe a nightlight—this festival only happens every ninety years for a reason.
This weekend
📸 Cars And Cameras 2025 @ Griot’s Garage Flagship Retail Store | Saturday (6/21) at 11 am – Automotive enthusiasts and photographers, this one’s for you! Capture rare vehicles set up like magazine spreads while learning from industry pros. It’s a day to rev your engines and hone your photography skills!
✊ Juneteenth: Rise to Freedom @ The RISE Center | Saturday (6/21) at 11 am – A powerful celebration of Black freedom and culture with live performances, food trucks, wellness stations, and family-friendly activities. Join the movement and feel the energy of unity and progress!
🎧 This Party Sucks! Emo Night @ Airport Tavern | Saturday (6/21) at 8 pm – Get ready to scream your heart out to all your favorite emo jams with DJ Lo “Self Esteem.” If you’re still mourning the MySpace days, this emo night is your chance to relive the angst-filled magic.
🎨 Free In-Store Pet & Animal Portrait Class @ A&C Tacoma | Sunday (6/22) at 1 pm – Unleash your inner artist in this pastel-powered portrait session—completely free, but RSVP required. Learn texture tricks from Melissa Barnhill and capture the personality of your favorite furry friend. Supplies provided; bring your email RSVP to secure a spot (space is limited!).
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/18 Open Shop Hours @ Foss Waterway Seaport – 5 pm
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6/18 Brewer’s Night @ Brewers Row – 6 pm
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6/18 Spaceworks Tacoma Art Walk @ Broadway – 6 pm
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6/18 Chapter Social @ The Beach Tavern – 6:30 pm
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6/18 Slutbomb and more @ Slice of Life – 7 pm
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6/19 Tacoma’s Sherlock Holmes: Oscar Heinrichs @ Elk Temple – 7 pm
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6/19 Young Adults Night @ Cheney Stadium – 7 pm
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6/19 Sawyer Brown @ Emerald Queen Casino – 8 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Anne Watkins (RE/MAX Exclusive) – 3 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | Built in 1991 | 4215 sqft
Once zoned C-2, this remodeled shoreline home boasts sweeping views of the Narrows Bridge and Olympic peaks. With two main-floor ensuites and a bonus suite below, it’s ideal for multi-generational living—or those with a flair for entertaining.
Three fireplaces keep things toasty while five parking spots (and unlimited street space) mean nobody’s circling the block. Parks, trails, and a zoning history spicy enough for craft brewers, therapists, or even a wedding or two—this place is ready for whatever wild idea comes next.
Window shopping is free — take a peek inside →
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