SELLER OF LOCAL STUFF, HATER OF CAPITALIZATION >>>

It's no secret that in order to associate the name "Steph DeRosa" with the term "journalism" you must do so in a very sarcastic manner - but this time I had some legitimate investigative journalism to partake in: sweet pea had welcomed a new store, fly boutique (just like the name sweet pea, it's not capitalized), inside the store he proudly operates - King's Books. I needed to get the skinny.   

I channeled Sherlock Holmes as I strapped on my plaid deerstalker and grabbed my oversized magnifying glass and pipe. Leave it to me, Tacoma, and I will give you more fluffed information than you ever wanted.

During my investigation I learned Jennifer Adams, owner of fly boutique, had not long ago opened her store on Broadway in downtown Tacoma. It was filled with items from local designers and artists. Call it a brick-and-mortar Etsy, if you will. (Except, without all the made-in-China bullshit etsy.com sells now that they call "handmade," right? ... But I digress.)

Shortly after opening, however, fly boutique succumbed to light water and smoke damage due to a fire at the neighboring Subway sandwich shop.  I suspect this happened because either sweet pea struck one of those long fireplace matches at Subway due to his hatred for bologna meats, or, in a drunken stupor, Bandito Betty tried to take up smoking only to violently gag and haphazardly throw her nasty Virginia Slim in the general direction of a competitor's stack of papers laying outside Subway's doors. Hehe - that would be funny if it really did happen.

Next I visited the new (and smoke-free!) location of fly boutique located inside King's Books' rare book room. (Note: Even if fly isn't open, someone from King's Books will let you in to shop.) Just as I had suspected, the distinct smell of witty sarcasm, letterpress ink and hand-sewn garments permeated my nostrils as I entered the room. I giggled to myself when I saw the handmade Hanukkah postcard that read "What did JEW do on December 25th?" Next I spotted a child's onesie with "Hug Life" screen printed on the front. Clever.

Of course, I couldn't help but recognize an item I owned myself: One of local artist Jenny Craig's flying genitalia charms. Hey, for $5 each, they make amazing gifts.

My investigative eyes led me to the sign posted upon fly's door. It said: Open until January 15, 2011. Say what? Sweet pea tells me to stay tuned for more information, but something tells me even he has no idea what will go in that spot next. 

I suppose this will call for more Steph DeRosa investigative journalism come January 15, 2011. 

Now you can't say I didn't warn you.

PIZZA, CALZONES AND STROMBOLI ... THROUGH A WINDOW! >>>

After receiving my stromboli through the small window in the corner of the Eastside Club in downtown Olympia, these were the first words that came out of my mouth: "Are these caper berries?," "The sesame seeds are a nice touch" and "I didn't expect it to be that big!"

The first words that came out of my mouth after tasting the stromboli were, "Wow!,"  "The sauce tastes sooo fresh!" and "You can tell that mozzarella is the real deal."

The restaurant is Al Forno Ferruzza, and owners' Meme Rincon and Stephen Ferruzza couldn't be happier to bring their passion to Olympia. Located at 408 Fourth Ave. E. (the same address that formerly housed both the A2 and the Clubside Café), the restaurant shares a wall and window with the popular Eastside Club, allowing service to bar patrons.

Al Forno Ferruzza was spawned in Portland's street vendor culture, from a cart the duo dubbed "a purple people pizza feeder." From humble cart beginnings, Ferruzza and Rincon moved their way into a Portland restaurant and have been rocking steady ever since.

Now in Olympia, with the Portland location running smoothly in the hands of friends and family, they look forward to their newest endeavor.

"I'm excited about meeting new people, getting involved with the community and sharing our delicious foods," says Rincon.

Getting involved with the community is a crucial part of their business plan.

They are working with local produce growers and meat manufacturers, and plan to have a rotating menu based on what ingredients are in season.

They have also been working with folks at the Eastside Club to make the most of their location. The decision to serve slices through a late-night window and refurnish the restaurant were both made on advice from the Eastside. Where the short-lived A2 restaurant had picnic tables, there are now comfy booths and a new mural of scenes in Italy and Olympia.

"We're really listening to the locals on this one," says Rincon. They are also listening to their roots.

"The ocean air in Sicily is very similar to that of the Puget Sound, resulting in similar produce," explains Ferruzza, just back from a monthlong visit to the famed region.

Ferruzza imports olive oil from cousins in Sicily, and makes pizza the way his father taught him, with fresh ingredients and their trademark high temperature oven.

"It's fresh, it's simple, it's an art," says Ferruzza.

In addition to enjoying the restaurants' creations, which include pizza by the slice or whole pies, calzones and stromboli, patrons will be able to  bring home their own taste of Sicily, as there will be a deli case with a variety of homemade cheeses and imported oils.

The restaurant officially opens its doors Jan. 3, but if you can't wait that long, you can sample their selection through the Eastside's food window.

TECH VESTS LOOK DUMB >>>

If you follow every ebb and flow our area's malls (of course you do!), you've surely heard by now that REI plans to open a new, two-story, 25,000-square-foot store in the Olympia Westfield Capital Mall this spring. According to the Olympian (citing to official REI release), the new REI store will occupy the former Mervyns' space next to Forever 21.

That's hot.

In honor of our area's soon-to-be newest spot to buy outdoor gear that you'll never actually use, here's a stupid video of some dumbass falling off a log. Perhaps he needs new boots. ...

CONSUME WITH A CONSCIENCE >>>

Cities all over the nation are supporting American Express' "Small Business Saturday" campaign, which encourages shoppers to consider supporting their local retailers this weekend, particularly the Saturday after Black Friday.  According to Civic Economics, out of every $100 spent on a small business, $68 returns to the community. Nationally, the Small Business Saturday website reports small businesses employ half of all private sector employees. Additionally, the Small Business Administration says, "for every year over the last decade, 60-80% of new jobs were generated by small businesses."

Tacoma and Olympia are ripe with locally owned boutiques, furniture and electronic stores and more.  I encourage you to take a look at your Best Buy, Gap or Target list and consider if those same items could be purchased from a local retailer.

AMAZING OUTPOURING, BUT MORE MAY BE NEEDED IN FUTURE >>>

On Nov. 5, the board of directors for downtown Olympia's Capital Playhouse issued a letter to all past donors asking for help. Capital Playhouse's rent was past due. Along with the rent, show royalties, basic salaries and program continuation all needed funding. If $20,000 couldn't be raised within the month, the performing arts education center was ready to suspend operations.

"We thought we were going to have to close Capital Playhouse," explains the secretary of the board of directors Ned Hayes. "The situation was dire."

Hayes said that since sending the letter, Capital Playhouse has received a majority of the funds immediately necessary to continue operations. He says the outpouring of support from the community has been amazing, and because of recent donations the Playhouse believes they have the funds to finish out this year's productions.

"The kind of response we've gotten from the community has superseded our expectations," Hayes says. "We've received a majority of the funds we need to keep going. We still need a bit more, but we have turned the corner."

Capital Playhouse, a non-profit performing arts education center, has been open 24 years. The Playhouse operates a variety of different theatre and arts projects and maintains operations through ticket sales, program enrollment fees, and donations.    

Hayes says Capital Playhouse's finances took a turn this past summer. The Playhouse provided scholarships for children looking to attend the summer children's programs and could not afford the fees. Hayes says providing scholarships for children in need wasn't a wise financial decision, but it had been a standing policy never to turn away a child looking to participate.

"We wouldn't turn down a child," Hayes says. "So we paid out much more money for the programs than we had coming in."

To make matters worse, some long-term donors Capital Playhouse relied on needed to forgo their regular donations because of the tough economic times. The drop in sizeable donations crippled the Playhouse's operating budget. By early November the future looked bleak.

The board decided the only option would be to reach out to the community. The letter, sent to past donors and participants, explained the shortfalls in Capital Playhouse's finances, how individuals could donate, and how their donated money would be put to use.

Hayes said recent donations have relieved the immediate financial crisis, but Capital Playhouse is by no means out of the woods yet. Hayes explained there was no long-term endowment for Capital Playhouse. The board is currently exploring every cost saving measure possible.

MAN OF ACTION >>>

Look, Marty Campbell doesn't mess around. When dude aims to get something done - he gets that shit done. He's like Nebraska's offense with Tommy Frazier at the helm.

Today Campbell was getting the word out.

Campbell's Buzzard's Discs (voted Best Independent Record Store in the Volcano's 2010 Best of Tacoma) is moving back to its original location - which just so happens to be Campbell's other iconic Tacoma business, Stadium Video (voted Best Place to Rent a Movie in Best of Tacoma 2010). You've probably heard by now. There was a press release. There was Exit 133 breaking the story this morning. There were the carrier pigeons Campbell dispatched. And then there was the TNT's follow up blog post, which went a little more "in-depth", revealing economics were a strong factor in the move.

The word is officially out. Buzzards and Stadium Video - as of Jan. 1, 2011 merged as one yet again. Local movie rental and local record shop in one stop ... Does this mean the roof gets fixed? Only time will tell.

Here are a few pictures:

Tacoma Weekly Senior Editor John Larson, or a man who looks suspiciously like him, was either on his Tacoma video store beat today or looking for a copy of the Washington State Cougars 1997 season highlights video.

DVDs from Buzzard's Discs will end up on this wall, which is to the left of the counter after you walk in.

Open space for CDs

Ignore the media types behind the curtain.

Will this mural change in January? Find out in the next round of news stories.

The Weekly Volcano's trusty intern, Julie Holt, finds out one of Tacoma's primo vintage clothing stores likes its new view.

Yet another business has up and left Tacoma's downtown district for greener - it's all about the Benjamins - pastures. Primo vintage clothing shop, Orange, has vacated its original location on Broadway and found a parking meter-less, more shopping-friendly spot on Sixth Avenue, down from the West End Pub & Grill and right across from the Goofy Goose.

I caught up with owner, Laurel Lawson, and chatted about her recent move. Orange had been located downtown on Broadway for almost two years before Lawson transplanted north. The key factors in her decision to relocate were the frequent road work on Broadway, the rising rent and the recent onslaught of parking meters downtown.

"If things were going to get better for retail in downtown Tacoma, I wasn't going to sit around and wait for it," said Lawson.

So, about a month and a half ago, Lawson moved her business to a charming little house on Sixth Avenue. Before her arrival the building had sat empty for over eight years. And before that it was owned by a person Lawson referred to as "the button lady." (Googling "Tacoma button lady" sadly failed to uncover any back-story.)

Having never been to the Broadway location, I can't compare the new shop to the old. But I can tell you the new location on Sixth is going to be added to my short list of monthly shopping pit-stops. The shop carries mostly 1940s through 1980s vintage women's clothing, and Lawson recently added house-wares to the mix. Expect prices to be a little higher than what you'd pay at Value Village or Goodwill, but at Orange, you have the added benefit of not having to sift through endless racks of stained Looney Tunes t-shirts to find something you actually like.

I've toured the thrift shops in Tacoma - I'm drawn to thrift stores like obese women in stretch pants are drawn to Wal-Mart - and the bottom line is  not many compare to the quality and affordability of Orange. UrbanXchange on Pacific Avenue comes close, but if you're looking for vintage chic, Orange is definitely worth checking out.

Orange

3715 Sixth Ave.

Tacoma, WA 98406

orangetacoma.com

253.970.7080

Hours of operation: Tuesday - Saturday, 12 - 5 p.m.

What you'll find: 1940s through 1980s women's clothing, vintage house-wares and a very charming owner

Bonus: Students get a 10% discount!

LOCAL 2011 CALENDAR >>>

Tacoman Jim Oliver is a kick ass photographer. He has captured some amazing scenes of the greater Tacoma area. Check them out here.

Oliver also looks forward to next year.

He has combined his two loves into a cool 2011 calendar - available for purchase at Frame Makers on Sixth Avenue, at the 253 Collective, at The Gallery at Tacoma Community College, and by contacting him here.

To view the calendar, click here.

Enjoy next year.

I WENT TO THE OFFICE THIS WEEKEND >>>

Piercing blue sky, crisp air, lower temperatures and leaves blowing about signifies a perfect fall harvest day in the Pacific Northwest. Gloves and scarves are already making their presence known. Neither comedian Kris "Save Our Sonics" Brannon nor anyone else minded standing outside downtown Tacoma Saturday as The Office Bar & Grill celebrated their official grand opening with a visit from Mayor Marilyn Strickland. In true gracious form, Mayor Strickland remarked to proud, smiling business owners Travis Scheff and Matt Henderson, "This is the most organized ribbon-cutting I've ever been to."  Just before noon, the co-owners flanked the mayor as she used cartoonishly pink large scissors to cut a cheery red ribbon and followed with a short speech "... I am always glad to see another business open in downtown Tacoma."

Back inside The Office, patrons took advantage of the $3 special "grand opening" menu items. Patron Justin Bailey grubbed on an order of Southwestern rolls with guacamole while I chatted with the mayor and sipped a virgin Bloody Mary. Since opening Aug 5, The Office's friendly co-owners have taken patrons' feedback and made changes adding more tap handles, at least four being local and regional selections including popular Men's Room Original Red, 50 percent off happy hour, and a trivia night every Thursday at 8 p.m. They'll add more dinner entrees soon.

"The Office burger with cole slaw and sautéed onions is very popular" Scheff shared. "Angus steak frites are a big hit, people just don't expect demi glace - it's not a bar food item."

He adds that the community has begun to make the casual sports and business crowd bar a regular hangout. "Comeback Sports has their post-event gathering here Wednesdays and Tacoma Runners Club met and ended here last week."

The Office Bar & Grill

11 a.m. to midnight Sundays-Thursdays
11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays
813 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma
253.572.3222

THE NEW KING OF KING'S >>>

Last night sitting in my folding chair with my fellow Vehement Vassals - resident cat rubbing the hell out of my shoe - Sweet Pea Flaherty, the soon-to-be owner of King's Books, revealed his hopes and dreams for the Stadium District bookstore. I've known about the ownership change for many months, constantly prodding Flaherty for the right to reveal the news. Out of respect for owners Pat McDermott and John Schoppert, and the fact that it wasn't a done deal, he told me to hold off. He shared an idea or two, but I didn't learn the full scope of his dream until last night.

A few of his ideas dropped jaws during the meeting. I also witnessed many smiles, enthusiasm and respect for the 36-year-old Madison, Wis. transplant. Flaherty has taken the two owners' beloved bookstore - an independent bookstore that hosts weekly literary, political and arts events and lectures - and pushed it to the forefront of Tacoma's cultural scene through relentless marketing and creative events such as the Wayzgoose letterpress extravaganza, Intermittent Health and Fitness Club (jump roping!) and groups such as the Banned Book and Graphic Novel clubs. 

His new ideas include painting the cement floor, installing wheels on the bookshelves to provide more space for events, adding more children's picture books and graphic novels, and a partnership program with Brownie Morrison to sell novelty items. He announced a second pending partnership that could add a bizarro (but cool) element to the store, which I'm not sure he wants to announce yet.

Some might call Flaherty crazy. Owning an independent bookstore is a tough business. More than 15 years deep into giant booksellers' voracious gangbang of all things mom-and-pop, independent bookstores are now staring down the barrel of Sadness 2.0. Last August when I announced the Vehement Vassals program on this blog, the bookstore was on the verge of closing.

"The Vehement Vassals saved this bookstore," Flaherty announced last night thanking the membership. "Seriously, this program saved the store.

"I've always wanted to own a bookstore," he shared. "It's certainly a labor of love."

Flaherty has added two higher levels to his Vehement Vassals membership program. Currently fans of the store may purchase a $20 annual membership and receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases. Flaherty has added a $100 and $500 annual membership level with higher discounts and bonus gifts. The new levels aren't on the store's website yet; you must drop by the store to sign up.

Flaherty also wants to increase his involvement with reading programs at local schools.

To hear Flaherty reveal his plans, it's obvious that the ownership change process reinforced for him that bookselling is about more than profit.

“I really enjoy filling my life up with interesting people who stop by and love to read and love to talk about what they’re reading,” he adds.

LINK: The News Tribune posted an interesting interview with Flaherty yesterday, announcing the ownership change. Read it here.