Monthly Archives: January 2011

No longer the UnSafeway, I guess

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Today I stopped at the recently remodeled Safeway in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. It is nicer than it was and it was also well maintained. Because it is the smallest Safeway in Tacoma there are none of the amenities that the larger Safeways have (bakery, Starbucks, deli, floral, etc.). The cashier I had was pleasant, but the shopping experience was not enhanced by the teen aged boys in the store strutting, posturing and cursing. And one of the adult customers was yelling at one of the cashiers.

1112 S. M St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
Store Phone: 253-627-8840

Here is a review of the store after the remodel.

http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/restaurants/grocery-stories/2010/06/tacoma-hilltop-safeway-remodel/

 

Tacoma Public Utilities Building on Union

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Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

Today’s new place is the Tacoma Public Utilities Building on Union Avenue. Their website says that they are the largest department in the Tacoma City government and public owned since 1893.

3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 502-8600

http://www.mytpu.org/

Patty’s Burger on South Tacoma Way

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So for the first time today, my husband said let’s go find you a new restaurant for lunch so you have your new place of the day. That was so sweet! He had read a good review of Patty’s Burgers, so after seeing The King’s Speech at the Grand, off we went! Patty’s Burgers is a cheerful place with a 50s theme. The service was super friendly and quick. Our burgers and fries would never be mistaken for health food, but they were a tasty treat! Next time I’m trying one of those great looking milkshakes! The TV screen shows photos of people that have tried the ambitious cake burger with 8 hamburger patties.

For a review of Patty’s Burgers go to:
http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/restaurants/restaurants/south-sound-restaurant-guide-tacoma-pattys-burgers-and-milkshakes/

For a list of restaurants where you can buy an extra huge hamburger look here:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/07/30/1282725/caloric-monsters-make-sure-to.html

5615 South Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA 98409-4215
(253) 474-0844

Patty’s Burger is located in the South Tacoma Business District. http://southtacomabusinessdistrict.com/

  

4″ Shorter, 2 shades darker

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Today’s new place is Salon Mosaic for a new do! This salon has been open since the fall and is a lovely space with talented, experienced stylists. I recommend it.

Salon Mosaic
(253) 564-5198
614 Regents Blvd, Fircrest, WA 98466

This is my first new place in the city of Fircrest. Per CityData.com Fircrest has a population of 6,278 as of July 2009 and the median household income is $68,002. The population density is 4022 people per square mile. 91.4% of the population over 25 have a high school degree or higher.

Using the same site, I compared that information to Tacoma which has a population of 193,566 and a median household income of $48,673. Tacoma’s population density is 3,986 people per square mile and 83.6% of the population have a high school degree or higher. These are interesting differences for side by side cities!

Here is a photo of Salon Mosaic’s lovely restroom!

Tacoma Water Works

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 Today I drove by and checked in to the Tacoma Water Works Building at 3501 South Union Avenue (previous address 3506 South 35th Street). Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 502-8384. I’ve often admired the architectural style of this industrial building, which contains almost 40,000 square feet of space per the public record.  The building was constructed in 1937 at a cost of $137,000.  It is occupied by the Tacoma Water Department.  A photo of the building from 1977 can be found here:

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/buildings/bldg1image.asp?j=2&o=2&n=27596&i=8923#text

And a photo of the building under construction can be found here:

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=6&pg=1&srequest=Municipal+services–Tacoma&stemming=&phonic=&fuzzy=&maxfiles=

A big thank you to Brian at the Northwest Room of the Tacoma Public Library and also my friend Mary! 🙂

Satellite Coffee

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Satellite Coffee at 2813 6th Avenue, Tacoma

I’ve heard such good things about Satellite Coffee and was glad to stop at their Sixth Avenue today, even though I’m going to be awake way into the night now! (Note to self, decaf after 3!). It was smaller than I expected and really flows into the adjacent restaurant, MASA. Although there is a walk up ordering window, I choose to go inside where it was warm. My Americano was good and reasonably priced (under $3 for a medium sized one). My barista was friendly. There was plenty of parking right out front, but I can see where parking has the potential of being a problem.

Their coffee is Stumptown Coffee, out of Portland, OR. http://www.stumptowncoffee.com/

They get their baked goods from Corinas Bakery. http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2063

Satellite Coffee Co.’s main web presence is its Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/tacomasatellite

In addition to this location, there are two other Satellite Coffees in Tacoma, one downtown and one near Wright Park. (Updated note, there is now only one other location, the one in the Stadium (see blog entry http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=5790)

Here is an article about Satellite Coffee, though more about its downtown location. http://www.tacomaweekly.com/news/business/satellite_coffee_combines_with_smooth_and_juicey_on_market_street/

Safeway on 6th Avenue

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Today’s new place is the Safeway in the Highland Hill Center, 6201 6th Ave, Tacoma, (253) 564-7029

www.safeway.com/

Store Phone: 253-564-7029
Store Hours: Open 24 Hours

Their website provides the following store details: Ad Region (whatever that means!), Bakery, Deli, Floral, Liquor, Meat, Pharmacy, Produce, Seafood, Starbucks, Video, Fuelstation, DryClean, Sushi Bar, Olive Bar, Digital Photo, DVDPlay Kiosk, Coinmaster, Jamba Juice, Adult Immunizations, Travel Immunizations, 24 hr PayPump, Wi-fi, , Home Grocery Delivery

So, pretty much is a somewhat larger than normal Safeway. The store was clean, had everything on my list and the check out guy was pleasant.

Rental information on the Highland Hills Shopping Center can be found here http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=16670837

Peanut Sauce Thai

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After a long day, I stopped at Peanut Thai for some delicious take out. My dear daughter has had a cough and she thought that maybe some spicy food would help. If only she would order something that that was indeed spicy! But it tasted good. The adults both liked the fried avocado and the pad thai and sizzling chicken were also delightful.

Ste 105, 5003 Tacoma Mall Boulevard
Tacoma, WA 98409-7120
(253) 475-4889

http://www.peanutsaucethaicuisine.com/index.php

Their complete menu is on their website.

Lincoln Pharmacy

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The Lincoln Pharmacy building was constructed in 1939 and from what I can glean the building was originally a grocery store, Totem and then Safeway. In 1953 Failor’s Pharmacy opened in the building and now, of course, it is Lincoln Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy with specialty compounding.

821 South 38th Street
Tacoma, WA 98418-5089
(253) 473-1155

Lowe’s for a little light

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Although we are getting more sunlight each day, it is still too dark for me. We went to Lowe’s for a new bedside lamp and wall lamp for the living room. We are trying the natural light bulbs and so far they seem nice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full-spectrum_light

While we were there, we picked up a second hummingbird feeder and some bird food. With the cold weather, our feathered friends have seemed extra interested in the feeders.