There's something happening at the north end of Tacoma's Pacific Avenue.  I walked the stretch between 9th and 7th and discovered a sort of pregnant feeling going on. 
There's the soon to open Pita Pit, and the new Body Evolution Spa. 
Through Friday, Aug. 11, Ever After is having a huge sidewalk sale, with cool stuff and prices slashed.  I mean really, really slashed.  Check out the great grab bags for a buck â€" My daughter totally loved hers.
The main signs of new life are in the spaces on the corner of 8th Street where the new Matador restaurant will open.  Also, in the middle of 9th, where a Paddy Coynes will soon serve Irish fare.
Walking through the sawdust of what will be the new Matador, I saw signs of progress, between piles of lumber waiting to be wall studs, and boxes of other building supplies. 
Builder Brian Okroy, who has worked with Matador owners Zak Malang and Nate Opper for the West Seattle and Ballard locations, talks about the style of the building.
“It's kind of urban retro," he says.  "There'll be a lot of ornate metalwork, a really nice fireplace, a lot of cherry.  The owners do their research, we know the people are here (in Tacoma). We're really excited about the build-out.”
Oct. 1 is the anticipated arrival date of the Matador, and it might be just the thing that sets the area up to be the new 6th Avenue.
Also on Pac Avenue, there are the existing lunch and beverage anchors Meconi's and Vin Grotto, and Indian food at India Mahal.  There's long-time tenant The Learning Sprout where, on the first Saturday of every month, kids 3-12 can take part in art and craft activities.
“There's always something interesting going on!” says proprietor Rose Colvin.
How does Colvin feel about the current pregnant feeling in the air?
“I've been here since 1997," she says.  "I've watched it grow and change and it's really awesome."  “I see this area as being like Belltown (in Seattle)”
Andy Kenser, tending bar at Meconi's, and Dave Meconi agree with that assessment. 
“On the development side of things, it's all good,” says Meconi. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler