Since 1989, Crunch Fitness has embraced the mission of creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome — with no judgments and no limits. That same spirit now has a new home in Tacoma.

The Chamber was proud to join Tacoma City Councilmember John Hines, Chamber Ambassadors, Chamber President & CEO Andrea Reay, and of course the whole Crunch Fitness crew in celebrating the grand opening of Crunch Fitness Tacoma on April 28.
Guests were treated to a tour of the gym’s expansive space, led by General Manager Sally Lucero, who fully embraced the event’s fun and energetic 1980s fitness theme. Councilmember Hines shared his excitement for the gym’s presence on the West End, noting it’s a great fit for the neighborhood and an asset for the broader community.
Councilmember Hines spoke about how he was excited to see the gym thrive in the West end, and how it is a perfect addition to the neighborhood.

Lucero closed the celebration by thanking everyone in attendance, sharing that the Crunch team is excited to be part of the community and, in her words, “can’t wait to help everyone get their fitness on!”
 
If you want to learn more about Crunch Fitness and its membership opportunities, check out on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tik Tok, and X (formerly Twitter). The gym is located at 5401 6th Ave #401 Tacoma, WA 98406.

Chamber Board Chairwoman, Kierra Phifer, kicked the celebration off with a brief introduction before attendees heard from CEO & Founder of King’s Dream Business Consulting, Jawan Harris.

Harris reflected on the initial demand of King’s Dream being sourced from its online presence, having only been founded a year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Many – if not all – small business owners needed the support and steadfast help that Harris and his team provides. Since it proved to be a necessity online, Harris knew that a physical location was the next milestone for King’s Dream.
 
Mayor Woodards reminded guests of how important it is for businesses to help other businesses, like King’s Dream, but especially in today’s climate because businesses are finding themselves stuck between a rock and hard place.
 
“I didn’t mean for this to turn so serious, when we’re supposed to be celebrating this grand opening, but I feel compelled to make sure you [Jawan] know just how important the work you are doing is,” said the Mayor.
 
After meaningful messages had been delivered, the ribbon was cut, and attendees were invited to sign the the ribbon and create a future momento for the business. The Chamber was very grateful to be a part of this celebration for King’s Dream Business Consulting. Please join us in welcoming King’s Dream to downtown Tacoma!
 
If you want to learn more about King’s Dream Business Consulting you can follow it on social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok.
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The headquarters is located at 702 Broadway Tacoma, WA 98402.

BECU (Boeing Employees’ Credit Union) has an expansive history in Washington State dating back to 1935. On February 19, it celebrated the grand opening of the Pierce County Financial Center located in Central Tacoma.  
 
Joining the festivities were the City of Tacoma’s Mayor Victoria Woodards; Rhubarb from the Tacoma Rainiers;, Dona Ponepinto, President and CEO of United Way of Pierce County; and an prodigiously supportive crowd of community members. Food and drink was provided by two local businesses for attendees to enjoy before the ceremony started.  
 
Bev Anderson, BJ Hunsicker, and Jason Rudman — who make up the Leadership team at BECU-- each spoke about their time at the credit union and the impact they have seen. Out of the 1.5 million total members, there are over 180,000 BECU members located in Pierce County. The BECU Pierce County Financial Center is the first in the area, and the team has combined experience of over 50 years. As Hunsicker said, “[the financial center offers] a full one-stop-shop experience.”  
 
Remarks from Mayor Woodards gave everyone a great laugh with her reminding folks that while the building may be called Pierce County Financial Center, that they are in Tacoma and BECU should consider rebranding already, “because BECU stands in Tacoma first, then it goes Pierce County!” All jokes aside, Mayor thanked BECU for being a partner of the City of Tacoma and for engaging in local programs to strengthen the community.  
 
Dona Ponepinto President and CEO of United Way of Pierce County spoke about the two entities’ relationship. Ponepinto said, “Mayor Woodards is a tough act to follow, but I am grateful to be speaking today.” And while Rhubarb cannot speak, he was most enthusiastic flashing thumbs-ups and ‘raising the roof’ during the speeches.  ​

Kitsap Bank celebrated its newest branch opening in Tacoma, achieving 21 locations across Western Washington.  
The celebration of this business milestone took place on Thursday, February 13, with a ribbon cutting. Though it started to snow, attendance was high with over 30 people gathered to recognize Kitsap Bank’s operational achievement.

Guests mixed and mingled before the Chief Executive Officer Steven Politakis gathered everyone for remarks. Politakis gave a sincere testimony of his time with Kitsap Bank and his fellow executive team while he gave shoutouts to employees and thanked them for their dedication to the bank. Politakis was joined by Olympic Bancorp Board of Directors’ Chairwoman, Cydly Langer Smith, who shared the same sentiment.

Recalling the annual staff retreat that generated the idea of acquiring the location Politakis said, “[I heard who owned the building] and I thought ‘Hey I know those guys. They are super smart...they are really good guys...and they love Tacoma – we can do business with those guys! This is great.’ [We got connected], put together a lease and we are off and running.”
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Chamber Board Chairwoman, Kierra Phifer, initiated the ribbon cutting in front of the branch’s main entrance. Attendees were invited to sign the framing matte commemorating the ceremony as they enjoyed bites during the open house. 
Please join the Chamber in welcoming Kitsap Bank to downtown Tacoma! ​

Holiday Cafe, located in Downtown Puyallup off West Pioneer Avenue and South Meridian, is a cafe that both parents and their children can enjoy. Owner Nichole Thacker acquired the building earlier this year and spent the last six months working with her ‘village’ renovating the space to transform it. Thacker’s village is comprised of her Church small group, her family and friends, and her employees. She said, “the whole vision behind ‘we are a village’ is we are not called to do life alone. We need [each other], we need people, and I hope that you can find that here.”
 
Walking in you can drop your children off in the play area before stopping at the register to place your order. Holiday Cafe offers a variety of food and beverages to select from on its menu. Because the space has high ceilings and many windows it is bright, spacious, and welcoming. There are various soft seating options along with stools along a half wall overlooking the play area if you’d prefer watching your children as you enjoy your order.
 
At the Chamber facilitated ribbon cutting ceremony was Mayor Jim Kastama and City Manager Steve Kirkelie of the City of Puyallup.
 
“The City of Puyallup used to be a sleepy town where folks would have rather gone outside of the city for leisure. It is because of places like [Holiday Cafe] that this town is really turning around and becoming vibrant,” said Mayor Kastama.
 
Printed on the cafe’s storefront is a statement that reads, “celebrate something daily.” The Chamber is grateful to celebrate this opening with Thacker and her village and continue to celebrate successes every day in the business community.  
 
Holiday Cafe is located at 103 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371. Be sure to follow its journey on Facebook and Instagram.

Soulberry Coffee House is celebrating its one-year anniversary serving the community from its location on Court A between S. 24th and 2nd Street. This hidden gem is a safe, welcoming space, where everyone can enjoy a freshly brewed caffeinated beverage or a carefully curated, non-alcoholic creation. It’s a place where students can go to study, friends and families can gather, musicians can play, and meetings can take place.
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“We wanted an atmosphere that feels like magic once you walk-in. That is what we have. When you step through those doors, it is magic,” said Terri Quintana-Jessen, owner and head roaster.
 
With dozens of varieties and brands of beverages, as well as beverage additions, there is something for everyone. Quintana-Jessen put a lot of time and effort into finding her products and is proud to offer them.  
 
“The beauty of a mocktail is you can come in at 9:00am and sip on something with no ill-effects," she said when asked about the Soulberry experience.
 
A month after acquiring the building, Soulberry Coffee House opened its doors to the public, but chose to keep its presence under the radar. It has been a year since that date, and it is now a fully functioning coffee house by day, and dry speakeasy by night.
 
Because the mocktail market is still relatively new, especially in Tacoma-Pierce County, Quintana-Jessen has been sought out by hotels in the area to consult for them on their non-alcoholic beverage menus. Quintana-Jessen capitalized on her advantage of having non-alcoholic beverage-specific knowledge and will soon be offering a full-service N-A Consulting business.
 
Soulberry Coffee House offers a thoughtfully designed menu, from rich espresso shots and creamy lattes to calming artisan teas. Each drink reflects the essence of third-wave coffee roasting—prioritizing sustainability, top-tier quality, and a deep appreciation for the coffee bean’s journey.
 
The Chamber is thrilled to celebrate Soulberry Coffee’s one-year anniversary and congratulates Quintana-Jessen on her journey of extensive research and professional growth. Quintana-Jessen is a graduate of the Pierce County Business Accelerator program and is one of the leading nonalcoholic cocktail bars in the State.

Soulberry Coffee House is located at 2310 Court A Tacoma Wa 98402. You can also follow the Soulberry Coffee House for updates on Facebook and Instagram.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Spaceworks Tacoma proudly celebrated the graduation of its Fall 2024 Business Plan Cohort. 
 
The 12-week Business Plan Cohort serves as the cornerstone of the Spaceworks Incubator program. Designed for entrepreneurs who have already tested their product or service in the market – whether with friends and family, online platforms, like Etsy, or physical storefronts – the program equips participants with the tools they need to thrive. By the end of the program, participants have successfully completed a business plan and delivered a final pitch, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey.
 
What sets this program apart is its emphasis on community. With a cohort model, the Chamber and Spaceworks team can foster collaboration and emotional support bidirectionally, whether it be from peer-to-peer or participant-to-mentor, ensuring they are never alone on their path to success. Graduates join a network of over 400 alumni and become part of a growing business and arts community eager to support their success.
 
This cohort exemplifies the values that make Tacoma a vibrant place to live and work. Their dedication demonstrates a deep commitment to their community and showcases not only a creative entrepreneurial spirit but also compassion and leadership. Their impact extends beyond the products and services they provide, shaping Tacoma into a more dynamic and connected city.      
      
Follow Spaceworks on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about the impact it is making in Pierce County.

On November 6th, the Hilltop District in Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber celebrated the grand opening of Girls Hearts on Fire’s new office in the heart of the Hilltop community.

Girls Hearts on Fire (GHOF) is a community center dedicated to empowering young women aged 10-18 by offering solace, opportunity, sisterhood, and economic advancement. The organization serves multiple age groups through its thoughtfully designed programs: Sparks (5th grade), Flames (middle school), and Blazes (high school).

Founder and Executive Director Cecily Croskey was joined by family, friends, and community members for the celebration.
“I wish there was something like this when I was that age,” shared Jessica Johnston, the November Chamber Ambassador of the Month and Director of Court House Square & KSP Building. “It would have been so helpful and filled that gap.”

The event included a special blessing of the building by Vicky Buford, a GHOF Board of Directors member. Guests explored the welcoming space, which was described as bright, cozy, and delightfully aromatic—thanks to the organization’s signature fragrance, Sweet Inferno. Created by Croskey, the scent is available as a candle for purchase on the GHOF website.

Girls Hearts on Fire has been a beacon for young women in Tacoma for over a decade, celebrating its 10-year anniversary earlier this year with the Decade of Dreams: Igniting Hearts for 10 Years Gala. This summer, GHOF hosted a series of engaging events including hair-braiding workshops, picnics, hot yoga sessions, and candle-making classes.

At the heart of GHOF’s programming is a powerful mission: to empower young women through leadership, life skills, and entrepreneurship.
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If you have a young woman in your life that could benefit from joining the GHOF Club, be sure to head to its new community space at 901 S 11th Street, Tacoma, WA, 98405 or follow them via social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X to learn more. 

Are you searching for the perfect place to entertain your little ones or host their next party? Look no further! Charlie’s Safari Family Fun Center officially opened its doors in Central Tacoma, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber this November.
 
The owner, Rob Jones, who lives in Ruston, purchased the indoor safari-themed business that was originally based in Lacey, Wash., and brought it to Tacoma this year on the backside of the Michael’s Plaza. The ribbon-cutting was led by Andrea Reay, President and CEO of the Chamber, Jones’s children, Charlie’s Safari staff, Chamber members, November Chamber Ambassadors of the Month: Bob Hays and Jenny Tharp, and Chamber members Elisabeth Albers from the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and Sergio Lopez, Branch Manager at Washington Federal.

A Place for Family Fun and Community Impact
Charlie’s Safari is committed to providing a safe, engaging environment for children and families. The center offers a variety of attractions, including play areas, bounce houses, an arcade, air hockey, and a snack bar. For adults, there’s a refreshment center responsibly serving beer and wine.

Beyond fun and games, Rob Jones and General Manager, Meghan Krissak, are dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
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“We believe strongly that as you get more, you give more,” said Krissak.

The team is partnering with the Tacoma Housing Authority to create programs like job fairs, visitation support for families involved with Child Protective Services, and summer and winter break camps to support parents during school holidays. Organizations interested in collaborating are encouraged to reach out through Charlie’s Safari website.

Inclusivity at the Core​

​Charlie’s Safari also embraces diversity and representation. While the original safari mascot remains part of its branding, the team introduced new characters with a range of skin tones to reflect the diverse community it serves.
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Make time to visit Charlie's Safari Family Fun Center on 3610 S Pine St Ste A Tacoma, WA, 98409 , or follow it on Facebook or X, for recent news and updates.  You can read more about Charlie's Safari Family Fun Center in a recent article from the Tacoma News Tribune.