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As Schoedel moves on from the Chamber to continue his impact at Downtown Tacoma Partnership, we take a moment to recognize the lasting impact he’s leaving in our business community.
Next steps for Schroedel involve focusing exclusively on advancing the growth of Downtown Tacoma and the impactful organization that is DTP. From running the Downtown Tacoma Farmers market to directly supporting storefronts and organizing the ever-growing Block Party, there are big things ahead for the DTP team.
Stay connected with Schroedel in his next chapter: [email protected].
A Little Background
Constructed in 1907, the Willamette Casket Company building was designed by architect Frederick Heath, and the building contractors were the Cornell Brothers. The factory was formerly located on East 25th & E Street and opened the first week of January 1908 at the intersection of Steele Street & the Northern Pacific tracks. The Willamette Building was known as one of the finest buildings in the Northwest and the largest factory west of St Louis. Mr. John T. Hickey served as President & Manager for 100 employees where they not only manufactured caskets but also had a showroom where you could pick out a casket for a loved one. In 1916 the Willamette Casket Company ceased operations, and the Gregory Furniture Manufacturing Co. began producing furniture in the building. Mr. Edwin Gregory had 105 employees who had moved his operations from the east side of Tacoma to its new home. An article from The News Tribune speaks very favorably of the Gregory Furniture Manufacturing Co. and states: “Where everything turned out by the company is manufactured from rough lumber and no manufacturing is shipped in by the company.” In 1945 the building was sold to F. S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. which was led by Mr. Allan T. Crutcher, president. The F. S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. was started by Mr. Fremont Harmon in 1888 at South 21st & Dock Street. By 1909 Mr. Harmon, president and owner, had 150 employees and a payroll of $10,000 a month. A vital business in Tacoma, you can imagine Mr. Harmon arriving each day, checking with his employees to see how the work was being done or how their day was going. Mr. Harmon was “one of the most familiar figures in the business community,” as stated in the Tacoma Daily Ledger 1909. Mr. Harmon was a board member of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, the Tacoma Country & Gold Club and a noble of the Afifi Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine. He died in 1939 with a substantial estate consisting of $100,000.00. Each of his daughters were given $1,000.00 and the rest of his estate was placed in a trust for his grandchildren. Fortunately, the F. S. Harmon Manufacturing Co continued to be managed by his devoted business partners, including Mr. Crutcher. In a help wanted ad from 1950 the F. S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. was looking for men or women as experienced paint sprayers for a paid a rate of $1.61 an hour. In 1961 a “Clean Up Sale” was held where decorative hardware, upholstery supplies, paper bags and off grade mirrors were just of the few items for sale. In 1962 F. S. Harmon Manufacturing Co discontinued manufacturing upholstered furniture & draperies and the Milton J. Wershow Company of Portland, Oregon, held an auction with hundreds of items for sale including factory trucks, veneer clippers, band saws. gear head motors, and 7 ½ acres of the property. During the 1960s White Star Van & Storage began operations within the building, and other businesses who operated out of this location included Off Center Furniture & Item House. As I left this enjoyable networking event, I thought of Mr. Hickey, Mr. Crutcher, Mr. Gregory & Mr. Harmon and how proud they would be to see the building where their businesses grew and provided a livelihood for their employees, still being used and which houses a variety of small businesses today. I am sure they were smiling as I walked across the parking lot to go home. Submitted by: Patty Rivers Mannie, Tacoma Historian Tacoma History Comes Alive! July 18, 2025 Foss Waterway Seaport was the backdrop for a successful night of networking, self-expression, and business connections.  The Chamber’s annual Happy Hour Business Expo took place on June 26, 2025 with over 86 vendors in attendance to showcase themselves at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma’s Thea Foss Waterway to an eager crowd of over 500 guests. “The [Happy Hour Business Expo] was so well put together! Great energy, smooth flow, and a perfect setting for making real connections,” shared attendee Star Roffe. “You could feel the intention behind every detail from the welcoming vibe to the thoughtful touches. Big thanks to the organizers for such a meaningful and fun evening!” This year’s robust vendor list included Pierce County Business Accelerator alumni, businesses centered around wellness for the Aura Alley, along with Chamber members old and new. Aura Alley was a division of the event focused on enhancing the atmosphere and energy for all attendees. Amongst the vendors there were flash tattoos, wellness scans, and vitamin injections. Guests could take home a new botanical friend, have their aura captured in photos, and more. Overall, Aura Alley was well received by guests as hundreds flowed through the space through the course of the evening. The playlist for the night was performed by local singer/songwriter Emily Riehl and her band. Riehl’s sound was fresh and uplifting, pairing well with the overall upbeat vibe of Happy Hour Business Expo. Food Court goers sampled cuisine from eight unique vendors -- each one a Pierce County Business Accelerator graduate. There was a mix of sweet treats and savory bites, and beverages were served by Odd Otter Brewing Co. in tandem with Court House Square. “This was my first time coming to a [Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber] event. I am glad I did come because it was nice meeting other business owners, as well as networking with others who I can see continuing a professional relationship with,” said guest Astrik Price. Following the main festivities, vendors were invited to the official Happy Hour Business Expo after party at Zeeks Pizza. There was a mobile axe-throwing trailer outside for the adrenaline seekers, and upstairs on the balcony Owner Michael Goronkin graciously offered food and an incredible giveaway prize to end the night: a trip to Whiskey Jack located in the north end of Whistler for up to 6 guests, for 8 days and 7 nights. Happy Hour Business Expo was an evening of high-energy networking, bold local business showcases, and unbeatable views for hundreds of local professionals and community members who came to connect, discover, and celebrate the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of our region. The Chamber wishes to extend their gratitude to the event sponsors: Pierce County Business Accelerator, Zeeks Pizza, Business Health Trust, Gesa Credit Union, Prime Commercial, Pierce Transit, LeMay America’s Car Museum, Puget Sound Energy, GTM Transformations LLC, Showcase Media, Theory Real Estate, and United States X Advisors Washington LLC. If your business is an active Chamber member and would like to get involved with Happy Hour Business Expo or any other Chamber events, please email [email protected] with your inquiries. Veteran Public Servant and Regional Policy Leader Joins Chamber to Strengthen Business Advocacy and Advance Inclusive Economic Growth Across the South Sound.
New Report Highlights Steady Job Creation, Easing Inflation, and Housing Affordability Struggles.  The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber (TPCC) presents its Pierce County Economic Index (PCEI) Report for 2025, a pivotal tool for understanding the county's economic health and prospects. The report, authored by economist Dr. Neal Johnson, highlights a mix of growth and challenges alongside trends in GDP, labor markets, housing, and retail sales, while forecasting moderate growth and ongoing challenges for key sectors in 2025. “This PCEI Report gives our members the insights they need to navigate the year ahead with resilience while acknowledging the headwinds still facing Pierce County. While we’re seeing progress in personal income and job creation, challenges in housing affordability and retail spending underscore the lingering effects of high interest rates and inflation,” said Andrea Reay, President & CEO, TPCC. “We hold a cautiously optimistic outlook for Pierce County. From job creation to housing affordability, this report helps our community take informed steps toward building a stronger, more equitable economy. Our commitment is to ensure that businesses—big and small—have the tools to succeed.” Key Findings:
Spotlight on Key Industries:
As Pierce County continues its trajectory, businesses, policymakers, and residents must focus on fostering resilience. Investments in education, infrastructure, and affordable housing will be critical to overcoming challenges along with monitoring federal policies on interest rates and tariffs, as these factors significantly impact the county’s economic outlook.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber invites community members, stakeholders, and business leaders to explore the full Pierce County Economic Index Report, available on the Chamber’s website. Honoring Leadership and Building Connection  On December 18, 2024, more than 350 business, nonprofit, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the season and strengthen the ties that bind us together at our annual cocktail party honoring elected officials. This year's reception was a dazzling evening of connection and celebration. Guests joined us at the iconic LeMay-America's Car Museum, where they enjoyed delicious food and beverages, stunning ice sculptures, intricate paper cranes, and captivating calligraphy artistry. The ambiance was festive and elegant, providing the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and new connections. During the VIP Hour, Chamber President and CEO Andrea Reay and Board Chair Kierra Phiffer recognized the remarkable contributions of exiting Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier. In her remarks, Reay highlighted Dammeier’s dedication to the community, emphasizing his role in fostering growth and collaboration throughout Pierce County. The evening was made even more special by the vibrant mix of leaders in attendance, including prominent public officials, business executives, and nonprofit champions. The opportunity to mingle, share stories, and celebrate the season together showcased the strength and unity of our community. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible sponsors for their generous support and to everyone who attended and contributed to the event's success. Your participation and enthusiasm make events like these possible. As we welcome the new year, we encourage you to stay engaged with the Chamber’s upcoming events and initiatives. Together, we will continue to build a thriving community for all. 2024 was a year marked by incredible milestones for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and our local business community! 2024 was a year of impact, progress, and innovation for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and the South Sound business community. From advocating for businesses to fostering leadership and supporting creative entrepreneurs, we accomplished so much together. Here are our top 10 highlights from 2024: 1. 140 Years of Serving Our Business Community This year marked an incredible milestone--140 years of the Chamber being the unifying voice for businesses in Tacoma-Pierce County. For over a century, we have championed economic growth, supported leaders, and strengthened our region. All the while, the Chamber has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of the Tacoma-Pierce County business community. Thank you for being part of this legacy! 2. Distributing $983K in Microloans for Small Businesses  Kiva recipient, Lanaya Tayler, owner of Lanaya Tayler Hair Studio in Puyallup, Wash. Access to capital is a major challenge for small businesses, but we made a difference. Through partnerships like Kiva, the Chamber facilitated $983,000 (and counting) in 0% interest microloans to help small businesses grow and thrive. These loans fill a critical funding gap for emerging entrepreneurs in Pierce County that can help make businesses, rather than break them. 3. Celebrating Success in the Pierce County Business Accelerator  PCBA cohort 19 at their graduation in November 2024. The Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) program continued to empower over 450 BIPOC, veteran, and women-owned businesses. By providing coaching, training, and technical resources, the PCBA fostered innovation and opened doors to wealth-building opportunities for diverse business owners. It is a travesty if you missed the PCBA Showcase this year as it was stupendous; filled with amazing food, wonderful business ideas, and business owners who embody the spirit of the South Sound in their work. 4. The Good Neighbor Village Breaks Ground  Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier joins in on helping turn the dirt that will become the Good Neighbor Village. Inspired by solutions explored during our Aspire Intercity Leadership Conference, the Good Neighbor Village project is now underway. By 2030, it will provide permanent housing and supportive care to 257 chronically homeless residents in Pierce County, restoring dignity and stability to our community members. 5. Spaceworks Tacoma: Empowering Creatives  Nori Kimura after completing the Skybridge mural between the Pacific Plaza parking garage and Theater on the Square in downtown Tacoma. Spaceworks Tacoma continued to elevate our region’s creative economy by connecting creative entrepreneurs and artists to economic opportunity. This year, the program invested $41,860 in local artists, delivered training to creative entrepreneurs, and facilitated rotating public art installations across Tacoma. Spaceworks is transforming commercial spaces and creating new opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs to thrive. 6. Record-Breaking Events & Community Engagement  Over 475 attendees joined the Chamber in January at the Horizons Economic Forecast to hear from local and regional business leaders on the 2024 Pierce County economy. Our events reached new heights this year, welcoming 4,936 attendees across meetings, forums, and signature events like the Horizons Economic Forecast and Happy Hour Business Expo. These gatherings fostered connections, celebrated successes, and inspired collaboration among local leaders. 7. Advocacy That Makes an Impact  Attendees of the Chamber’s 2024 Legislative Advocacy Day visit Olympia, Wash. From left to right: Curt Kohlwes, Director of Government Relations at University of Washington Tacoma; Zach Correia, Government Relations Analyst at MultiCare Health Systems; Jessica Johnson, Director of Court House Square; Andrea H. Reay, President & CEO at Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber; and Senator Chris Gildon, Washington’s 25th Legislative District. The Chamber led advocacy efforts to address critical business challenges and drive policy change:
These wins helped create a stronger, more resilient business environment for the South Sound. 8. Launch of the Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator  The Chamber and the Manufacturing Industrial Council for the South Sound partnered with local businesses to establish the Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator. The program is aligned with Chambers commitment to support entrepreneurship and the State’s goal to double manufacturing within a decade. The Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator will create scalable manufacturing spaces, support capacity building for existing businesses, and develop a manufacturing centered curriculum designed to empower manufacturing startups with a pilot cohort scheduled for 2025. The launch of the incubator is funded in part by the Washington State Department of Commerce and the City of Tacoma. 9. World Trade Center Tacoma’s Global Impact  (L to R) Michael Fowler, executive director at the World Trade Center Tacoma; David Graybill, Board Chair for World Trade Center Tacoma; Raymond Cheung, president, SeaTac Packaging Manufacturing Corp.; and Betty Capestany, director, economic development at Pierce County; celebrate SeaTac Packaging Manufacturing Corp.’s win at the 2024 World Trade Center Tacoma Globe Awards. The World Trade Center Tacoma connected local businesses to global opportunities through international trade missions and educational programs. This year, businesses benefited from partnerships forged in East Asia, helping the South Sound remain competitive on the global stage. World Trade Center Tacoma also conducted its annual flagship event, the World Trade Center Tacoma Globe Awards, in September, which recognized excellence in international trade. 10. Developing Future Leaders  Graduates of the 2024 Business Leadership Academy celebrated their achievement at a luncheon in November. We continued investing in leadership development through programs like the Business Leadership Academy and the foundation of the Candidates Academy. By equipping future leaders with skills, mentorship, and connections, we are building a strong foundation for the next generation of business and community leaders. Looking Ahead to 2025  As we celebrate these milestones, we are excited for what lies ahead. Together, we will continue to strengthen our economy, foster innovation, and empower leaders in the South Sound. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey—cheers to a bright year ahead!
Autumn is here and what is cozier than a historic courtroom and an elegant ballroom to gather for September’s Chamber After Hours? Court House Square, located in the heart of Downtown Tacoma, opened their fourth floor for attendees to walk through the courtroom and network in the ballroom. Jessica Johnston, Director of Court House Square and Chamber Ambassador, was there to share knowledge of the 114-year-old venue over upbeat music and delicious food catered by fellow Chamber member, Cafe Pacific Catering. Guests enjoyed sandwich-sliders, pasta salad, and a charcuterie station where they could make their own spread. On a sweeter note, there was Almond Roca sprinkled cannoli, crème brulée, and peanut butter pie to top off the night. To accompany the food, bartender Derek was happy to pour you some wine, or pop-the-top off a cold one. There was a punch as well that was a hit amongst the crowd! Thank you, Jessica, for hosting September’s Chamber After Hours! We look forward to more events taking place in your beautiful venue and the hallowed halls. October 2024 Chamber After Hours If you missed September’s Chamber After Hours and are looking to attend October’s, registration is now open! October’s Chamber After Hours will be held at New Tacoma Cemeteries Funeral Home & Crematory. Halloween costumes / themed clothing is optional! 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] |
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