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.

Impacto Notaría & Multiservicios​ celebrated its grand re-launch and anniversary in early November alongside the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. The event brought together family, friends, partners, community members, and local leaders, including Tacoma City Councilmember Olgy Diaz and Mi Centro, a Chamber member-partner.

Owner Yadira Morales chose November 2, 2023, as her original opening day for a deeply personal reason: Día de Muertos (The Day of the Dead), a meaningful holiday that honors her family’s traditions. Rooted in these values, Morales’s new office is a perfect reflection of her journey. Its walls are adorned with handmade art from Mexico, alongside personal touches like Harry Potter memorabilia, showcasing her creative spirit.

Before founding Impacto Notaría & Multiservicios, Morales shone as a rhinestone artist. Her talent for adding sparkle to apparel fueled her entrepreneurial drive. With the unwavering support of her family, she shifted focus and pursued her dream of building a notary business to serve her community.

Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring. In just a year, Morales completed two office moves, graduated from the Pierce County Business Accelerator program, and solidified Impacto’s brand with a hummingbird—a symbol of free spirit and strength.

Please join the Chamber in congratulating Impacto Notaría & Multiservicios on one year of making an impact, and if you are looking for an honest, hardworking, professional to help in a variety of service areas, be sure to contact Impacto Notaría ​& Multiservicios via its website, at its location on 1105 Tacoma Ave S Tacoma, WA, 98402, or via social media on Facebook or Instagram.

One year ago, on October 5th, University Place got a little hotter...not the weather unfortunately, but because of the addition of HOTWORX Studio! Franchise owners, Ciara Boyce and Tracey Pidge, took the ultimate leap of opening their own HOTWORX fitness studio in 2023 and invited our Chamber to celebrate their anniversary.
 
HOTWORX University Place is a 24-hour infrared fitness studio equipped with 10 sauna rooms and a FX ZONE (functional exercise area). Members are led in a variety of workout sessions taught by highly skilled virtual instructors; with three paces they can choose to follow. You can often find Ciara and Tracey ‘earning the burn’ (a popular motivational phrase used by the virtual instructors) multiple times a day, every day!
 
Through heartfelt speeches by co-owners Boyce and Pidge, the Warriors (aka the members) were thanked for trusting them and supporting HOTWORX University Place. They made special shoutouts to their spouses and loved ones for the continued belief in their personal mission statements, which has gotten them to where they are today.
 
We were joined by Council Member Melanie Grassi, several members of the community, Warriors (some who left the sauna mid-session to watch the ribbon being cut!), and even Fudge the bulldog, who was able to get in on the celebration. Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board Chair, Kierra Phifer, led the team in the countdown to cut the ribbon and we ended the ceremony by signing the cut piece of ribbon.
 
Each individual staff member is passionate about what they do and is eager to help you meet your fitness goals inside and outside the sauna. Schedule some time to meet with them and book your first HOTWORX session here. 

Website: www.hotworx.net/studio/universityplace
Phone: (253) 336-3090

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber member and Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) graduate, Arabia Essence, had the grand opening of their Olympia store on Monday, August 12! Arabia Essence offers a variety of Middle Eastern perfume oils and bottles, jewelry, and home decor. There is a selection of women’s formal wear, as well.  
 
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was able to partner with the Thurston County Chamber to celebrate the business milestone of Astou Sow, owner of Arabia Essence. 
 
Jessica Houchin, Operations and Events Coordinator for the Thurston County Chamber was able to share photos from the special day. Thank you, Jessica, and fellow Thurston County Chamber staff, for taking the lead on this event! 
 
Arabia Essence also has a store in the Kitsap Mall in Kitsap County, which will celebrate their grand opening on Tuesday, September 10. We are excited to partner with the Greater Kitsap Chamber to commemorate this additional milestone. 
 
Congratulations, Astou, on your two amazing business milestones! We look forward to seeing you continue to thrive and grow in our community. ​

Website: https://arabiaessencellc.com
Email: [email protected]

Around The Clock Child Care Center (ATC) has grown yet again – with facilities already in Fife and Tacoma, they opened their new building in Lakewood on Monday, July 8!
 
We always appreciate Erika Snell, founder of ATC, for always including us in their grand opening celebrations, and this is no different. This new care center is brightly colored, full of various toys, games, and curricular activities, and has multiple large rooms for the children of each age group respectively.
 
Joined by future care children and their families, the extreme heat was no match for the air-conditioned facility, which everyone received a sneak peak of. Although it looks like a brand-new establishment, it has quite a history. What started as the Thunderbird Shopping Center in 1960, the strip is now called Oakbrook Plaza. Previous tenants include Blockbuster, Jackson Hewitt, a different childcare center, and even had proposals for a softball team’s batting range.
 
Pierce County Councilmember, Jani Hitchen, shared a few words during the ribbon cutting ceremony and touched on how important it is to have customized childcare in this day-and-age where many parents aren’t working the typical 9-to-5 job. ATC will be, exactly as the name implies, a 24/7 care facility. Their program values cultural and social differences, takes a Montessori approach, and goes beyond the four learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing preference, and kinesthetic. The teachers and caregivers are highly experienced and are passionate about child development. They also offer scholarships for families in need.
 
Erika mentioned there will be a future ribbon cutting ceremony for another location, so be sure to follow ATC’s journey!
 
Website: https://atccenter.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 253-368-9705

​Booktrovert: [book-tro-vert-noun] A person who prefers the company of fictional characters to real people. Shannon Grover, owner of The Lakewood Bookstore, is a self-proclaimed booktrovert.

After many years of following her spouse's vocational journey, Shannon knew she was ready to start her own. Being the booklover she is, Grover decided to open her own bookstore; a place where she would be happy to come every day and pour her passion of reading into.
The Lakewood Bookstore is in an old cellphone store, but you’d never know that once you step in. There are two floors: the main floor carries the books, and the second floor is a fun hangout spot for people to read, play games, build puzzles, or just chat. Not only are there plenty of books in the store, but there is also stationery, stuffed animals, book accessories, puzzles, and more.

On the day of the ribbon cutting, the store was full of eager guests all in awe of the inventory, the design of the store, and the overall atmosphere. Grover is a graduate of the Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) Program, which is also something to be celebrated! There were fellow graduates at the ceremony, and one of them even provided reuseable shopping bags for attendees, with The Lakewood Bookstore logo proudly displayed on the face of the bag.
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We were honored to be part of this exciting business milestone and look forward to a ‘happily ever after’ for The Lakewood Bookstore!

Website: https://thelakewoodbookstore.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: ​253-625-7913

Many consider the butterfly to be a symbol of transformation, freedom, new beginnings, and hope amongst other lovely descriptors. Despite being so fragile, the butterfly can flutter gracefully to great lengths for survival, with the Monarch butterfly traveling over 1,000 miles for hibernation. This little insect is best known for the way they change shape as they grow, displaying their beauty and charm every step of the way.

At HopeSparks Family Services, they have been on the same journey for 125+ years to help families in Pierce County grow, transform, experience new beginnings, and most importantly give them hope. The butterfly can be seen in the logo for HopeSparks, and scattered all around the Children’s Developmental Services building located off Union Ave in Tacoma.

The Chamber was recently invited to celebrate the grand opening of the outdoor playground for said building. Being completely designed by the team at HopeSparks, the playground is the perfect space for kids to run around. Of course, the playground would not be complete without the symbolic butterfly, which can be seen not only in the rubberized ground cover, but in a whole climbing statute.

Dozens of guests came to witness the cutting of the ribbon and heard thoughtful words spoken by Heather Moss, Director of Pierce County Health Services; Joe LeRoy, President and CEO of HopeSparks; and Vianeth Zubrod, Director of HopeSparks. Calling it a “collective effervescence”, Joe and his crew could not wait for the playset to be enjoyed by generations of Pierce County tots for years to come.

The Chamber extends its thanks to HopeSparks for allowing us to be involved in their big day and wishes them well and good weather for playtime of course! To learn more about HopeSparks and how to get involved visit their website.

Website: https://hopesparks.org
Phone: (253) 565-4484
Email: [email protected]

Learning to drive is a big step in a person’s life. There's a new sense of freedom with the ability to travel anywhere you set your mind to. Those learning how to drive usually enroll into a driver’s education course where they are taught the rules and laws of driving, receive their learner’s permit to practice, and then an official driver’s license. Now there is a new resource in Tacoma for those looking for a driver's education program!

Complete Driving Experience, also known as CDX, is the perfect place for student drivers to learn the rules of the road in a safe and welcoming environment. At CDX, both teens and adults are welcome to join the program. They offer several services including defensive driving lessons, Washington State approved driver license exams, teen and adult driving courses, and even a driving simulator!

CDX has been helping student drivers for three years and the Chamber was proud to be invited to celebrate their anniversary. Surrounded by family and friends, Mrs. Dubois, the owner of Complete Driving Experience, cut the ribbon to commemorate the milestone. CDX started with the help of The R.I.S.E. Tacoma, but quickly grew and are now located in the historic Tacoma Armory. The office is decorated with hot wheel cars, cute signs with driving puns, and motivational quotes, welcoming visitors and hopeful drivers.

CDX is a family, woman, and black-owned business that is ready to help tailor driving lessons to each student respectively, giving them the skills, knowledge, and confidence to drive safely and legally on the road! To learn more about Complete Driving Experience and what they have to offer, visit their website or contact them via email or phone.

Website: https://www.completedrivingexp.com
Phone: (253) 387-7733
Email:  [email protected]

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and Pierce County Economic Development recently celebrated the graduation of Cohorts 15 and 16 of the Pierce County Business Accelerator! Over the past six weeks, these cohorts of local entrepreneurs and business owners have been hard at work engaging in trainings, coaching, technical support, and networking to accelerate their businesses. 

Our Chamber is honored to have played a role in the Pierce County Business Accelerator from the beginning as the program administrator, in partnership with Pierce County. The Pierce County Business Accelerator serves entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Pierce County with a focus on BIPOC, veteran, and women-owned businesses to help foster innovation and create wealth-building opportunities. Congratulations to these amazing groups of graduates! 

View photos from the Cohort 15 & 16 graduations below, and learn more about the Pierce County Business Accelerator at www.pcba.biz!

“Invest in your community and your community will invest in you."

This motto is what owner, Kieth Dashofy, of Pella Windows & Doors follows every day. A Tacoma native, Dashofy knew he wanted to expand Pella into the Grit City when faced with the incredible choice of expansion. With a showroom in Bothell, which serves Seattle, Bellevue-Eastside, Sammamish, Everett, and Mount Vernon, the Pella team was ecstatic to travel South into Pierce County to offer their services.

As the full name implies, Pella is a windows and doors installation company. The Chamber was excited to celebrate the opening of the new Tacoma Showroom on May 16th! The new showroom has an array of door styles, window frame selections, and even a stocked mini fridge of the teams’ favorite beverages.

Keith was beaming with pride during his ceremony speech and expressed his gratitude for having an excellent team behind him. He is looking forward to connecting with his fellow Chamber members, so be sure to seek him out at future Chamber events to exchange business cards.

Whether you need new windows, doors, or want to make new Pierce County connections, you should take a trip to the new showroom to say 'hi' to the Pella team and wander through their product offerings. You will find yourself entertaining the thought of remodeling the kitchen windows that you’ve been putting off for years!

Website: https://www.pella.com/locations/wa/tacoma
Phone: (253) 563-3339

Spaceworks Alum and Chamber member, HIVE Co., celebrated their grand opening in April at 5436 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 9840. HIVE Co. is small maker, small batch vibes “gift” shop.
 
Founder, Michele Jones, created a place where vendors, artists, and makers can sell wholesale, lead workshops in the specially designed gathering space or participate in a vendor pop-up market. Be sure to check out what’s going on via the event calendar available on their website.

Congratulations to Jones on this achievement and be sure to visit HIVE Co. to peruse all their goodies!

Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma is buzzing with construction of new businesses on the street. What used to be a MultiCare facility, now homes the most recent addition, Comprehensive Life Resources’ new care center.

Dating back to 1957, CLR has been in Tacoma helping those seeking treatment for substance abuse, and behavioral and mental health matters, to name a few. The Chamber was proud to celebrate the grand opening of the care center and had a wonderful turnout from the community.

Even while still being an active construction site at the time of the ceremony, the building felt welcoming, and the sunshine was a perfect touch to the brisk morning. Some furniture and artwork were already placed in the lobby, and the big floor to ceiling windows on both floors let in the warm sunshine.

CLR’s CEO, Kim Zacher, was able to share more about the history of care they have provided over the last several decades as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Zacher thanked the investors that played a large role in the relocation, including Umpqua Bank and more. She also recognized those who are experts in the fields of medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health who will be hard at work every day providing treatment to their patients.

Slated to officially open on Monday, April 22, 2024, we are excited to see the new footprint they will make in Downtown. If you or a loved one is wishing to learn more about the services Comprehensive Life Resources offers, please visit their website, or give them a call:

Website: www.comprehensiveliferesources.org
Phone: (253) 396-5800