New Open: Compass Rose Boutique

I checked out the new Compass Rose boutique in Tacoma’s Proctor District, the second outpost of the original store in Olympia. It took the place of Giardini Gifts, which had been open for over 20 years.

Never having been to the original store, I didn’t know what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised. A kind of mini-Anthropologie feel (minus the clothes), the shop was full of thoughtfully picked items, including a kids/baby section, luxury candles, cards, paper goods and a generous kitchen section. They have cookbooks, fun cooking and kitchen items and Le Creuset kitchenware. I was super excited to see the Le Creuset because the tried and true brightly-colored pots aren’t sold anywhere else in Tacoma besides Macy’s and Metropolitan Market (that I know of). Compass Rose appears to have colors Macy’s doesn’t carry, which was nice to see.

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A Tour of the New Harbor Greens in University Place

Yesterday I finally went and checked out the new Harbor Greens in University Place. Why I have waited so long, I don’t know. It’s awesome. Yes, I know it’s just a market, but it’s a great one and I get excited about these things.

I’ve never been to the original Harbor Greens in Gig Harbor, so I can’t really compare it, but I can say it reminds me a lot of Tacoma Boys…just a little bit better. I recently wrote about the 6th Avenue Tacoma Boys’ update to their store, and how it has a better flow and expanded range of gluten free products. Harbor Greens has all the best parts of Tacoma Boys — gorgeous produce, fantastic meats and local products — but they layout is much easier to navigate and they have a full service deli. I’m a sucker for a deli. Sandwiches, hot dogs, hot pizza, take and bake pizza, salads, soups and flatbreads. Oh, and there’s a garden center. Continue reading →