THIRD THURSDAY IN TACOMA >>>

There will be mini BLTs. How's that for not burying the lead.

Urban Alchemy, a new Tacoma shop offering unique handmade gifts, fine art and home décor to those who enjoy shopping under Tivoli lights, will embrace the Tacoma Art Mingle, keeping its Opera Alley doors open a wee bit long to offer, yes, mini BLTs.

Thursday marks the second Tacoma Art Mingle - what the Tacoma Art Group tagged the new Third Thursday art walk - and Urban Alchemy is in. The cute shop has been in since it opened its doors the day the world was suppose to end, Dec. 21. I can only assume the Mayans didn't want to deprive Tacoma of lampshade chandelier, Alexis St. John's space hamster Chelsia Berry Designs. And, of course mini BLTs.

"Urban Alchemy is part gallery, part retail for handmade gift and home décor," says owner Therese Tucker. "It's a smorgasbord of awesomeness by local artists and artisans. I represent close to 40 artists, including myself, and though my store is largely filtered through my tastes and preferences, I really strive to create a community of creativity with my artists."

During Thursday's Art Mingle, the store aims to impress and cause mass drooling for all who enter. There will be, yes, mini BLTs. There will be caprese sticks. There will be cheese plates and special secret sauces. Of course, a cute shop needs an assortment of desserts, which will don fancy trays. Laurie Tucker, who is also one of the artists at the gallery/store, will cater the deliciousness.

Therese Tucker also promises off-the-hook ambiance, not just during Art Mingle. She promises jaw drops during store hours.

"It's a-mazing," she says. "Like, everyday it's amazing. I'm telling you, there is a magnetic field in the store or something. I'm told daily that the store is such a lovely place to be. During Art Mingle, it will be even more so, because many of the artists I represent will also be here mingling. I know the artwork in my space will be humming with joy to see their makers again. It's something you can viscerally feel in person. So, you should get over here and feel it. A. Maze. Ing."

And have a mini BLT.

URBAN ALCHEMY, 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. MONDAY-SATURDAY, NOON TO 6 P.M. SUNDAY, 711 OPERA ALLEY, TACOMA, 914.882.5764

LINK: The fabulous Tacoma ART BUS will stop at Urban Alchemy - jump onboard.