GRAND OPENING RECAP >>>

Owner Morgan Alexander put his hustle into hyper-drive preparing for his Amocat Café's grand opening party last night. Visitors filed in before the 5 p.m. start time eager to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony with Tacoma City Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Tacoma City Councilman David Boe. Inside said cafe on St. Helens Avenue, filmmaker Adam "The Alien" Manley and Mark Monlux of Tacoma's cartoonist club C.L.A.W. rehashed the day's chalk-off at Frost Park with Councilman Boe while Jim Higgins, owner of Puget Sound Pizza, sipped a cold Iron Horse Irish Death beer (Amocat now serves beer!)while chatting with Mayor Strickland about paid parking. Former mayor Bill Barsma, Councilman Marty Campbell, artist/creator Andrea Lowen, attorney Erik Bjornson and Tacoma blogger Kevin Freitas mingled and discussed all things Tacoma. Attendees noshed on delicious Italian fare provided by Proctor District Café Europa. Wines from local Lake Tapp's Kalamar Winery, Olympia's Andrake Cellars, and Wilridge Winery (Seattle) were enjoyed while listening to the smooth sounds of University Place jazz guitarist Andrew Sherbrooke. Tacoma's own Valhalla Coffee and Mad Hat Tea custom Amocat Blend were also available.

Alexander proves local loyalty runs deep in almost all aspects of his café. The yellow and red walls are graced with endearing artwork by Tacoma resident Alexis St. John.

Just before 6 p.m. Mayor Strickland and Councilman Boe took their places in front of stretched taut yellow caution tape humorously used as the ribbon. With garden pruning shears in hand, the two jokingly clashed shears in a mock-fencing fashion and smiled while Alexander, with his wife by his side, expressed his thanks to the crowd for attending an indoor event on such a beautiful, warm evening. Mayor Strickland remarked on the importance of businesses opening, no matter how small and with that she and Councilman Boe did the honors - snip snip - the ribbon was cut and a new Tacoma business was officially open.

Amocat Café is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Amocat Café

625 St. Helens, Tacoma
253.722.5373