Jesus’s Custom Muffler and Dual Exhaust Shop at 4003 McKinley Avenue is a cheerful yellow with red trim and has some great muffler art! The property started it life in 1925 as Mac’s Super Service Station and there was an addition in 1949.
So, I was cold and tired and really just wanted to go home. But I got talked into stopping at Stadium Thriftway for some of their soup. While there I ran over to Morrell’s Stadium Dry Cleaning at 608 North First Street and snapped a photo. The building was constructed in 1928 and apparently has always been a dry cleaner, starting as the Puget Sound Cleaners. Their website is here http://tacomadrycleaner.com/
Side note to the young man who was yelling at his girlfriend through the payphone, complaining about your “soon to be ex-girlfriend” to me in no way makes me inclined to give you bus money to Everett. Just saying. And to the guy that I thought might be stealing a bottle of wine from Stadium Thriftway … really?!
A wonderful mural appeared on the side of the commercial building at 5441 South Sheridan this year. The lead artists were Kenji Stoll and Chris Jordan and the artist team included David Long, Yvette Simone, Chelsea O’Sullivan and Natalie Oswald. Sir-Amicks is the name of the ceramics business that occupies most of the building. The building was constructed in 1940 as a Safeway.
http://www.tacomaculture.org/arts/MuralsComplete.asp
I stopped to take a photo of this wonderfully playful mural at Dawg Town Tacoma, 1602 Tacoma Avenue South. It was early in the morning and there weren’t any dogs outside of this doggie daycare, training and grooming facility yet, but it was clear to see that there was a large outside play area. Looking over their webpage (see below), it appears that they also have specially designed inside space. What is extra fun is that there is a webcam, so that one can watch one’s furry friend having fun! When I took a look, there was a guy sweeping up and one dog (maybe his?). The 1935 building was originally the Coast House Materials Warehouse and later Coast Furniture Co. http://www.dawgtowntacoma.com
The Lapenski Fuel Company located at 9910 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, has provided various types of fuel, wood, coal and heating oil. The building was constructed in 1957 and has a mid-century look to it.
Applebaum Violin Shop at 1948 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma is a full service violin shop located in the University of Washington Campus. Their website is here http://www.applebaumviolin.com/
Sione’s Auto Repair at 1315 South 38th has a cool sign. The building was constructed in 1956.
The Storage Box at 216 Puyallup Ave Tacoma, Washington is getting a splendid new mural by Chris Sharp. http://chrissharp3000.blogspot.com/2012/07/tacoma-murals-program-collaboration.html. Mr. Sharp also did the mural on McKinley Avenue and that write up can be found here http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2578
The property began its existence as the George H. Russell Horse Market / Star Stables in 1906. It was also the Lauritzen Tonic Co., John W. Brady Horse Market, Depot Saloon, Efaw Livery, Ingle Garage (which burned in 1923), Square Deal Transfer Co.
(Garford Truck Co.), a storage plant and in 1962 it was approved as a fallout shelter. I went into the building in the 1990s when it was being converted into mini storage and remember the owner saying that it has been used as a house of ill repute. Apparently it was a popular place with the sailors who had shore leave in Tacoma.
Sauro’s Cleanerama use to be located in downtown Tacoma, but at some point moved to 10523 Bridgeport Way SE, Lakewood, WA. It had a great building downtown and still has a great building! The link to the original location is here http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=1&pg=1&krequest=Cleanerama&stemming=On&phonic=&fuzzy=&maxfiles=5000
My World Childcare at 5915 Orchard Street is closed, but their wonderful mural remains! I didn’t find much about the business except that their motto was “Helping your child discover their world”. But really the story here is the vivid mural featuring children playing, reading and working. I hope whoever leases the building next appreciates the artwork and lets it remain.
