Downtown Tacoma comes alive at new night market

Since May, the Tacoma Night Mar­ket has successfully brought together hundreds of Tacoma locals to Pacific Avenue. Bustling with life, the market offers attendees access to over 40 local vendors, yummy food options, a full bar and music. The Tacoma Night Market is free and open to all ages. The next Tacoma Night Market will be Nov. 3.

From the stringed lighting to the warm ambiance it provides, the mar­ket serves as a connection between local vendors and the greater Tacoma community. More importantly, most of the goods sold at the market are handmade by the locals selling them. When was the last time you met the person who made your candle, T-shirt or perfume?

Gretchen McAllister, vendor and owner of Splendor and Stone, utilizes the Tacoma Night Market to sell her handmade jewelry.

“I had been doing markets for the last four years and was wanting some­thing a little different,” McAllister said. “Something that felt more alive, more of an event with music, makers, food and a bar.”

McAllister and Leah Morgan — Tacoma Night Market founder — both saw a need for a night market in Ta­coma when they met at a different market in 2017.

“We both saw how many talented local makers, a lot of them women, there are locally and thought about how awesome it would be to start a night market in Tacoma,” McAllister said. “It’s been overwhelming to see the amount of talent that we have lo­cally and the amazing support we get from the Tacoma community.”

McAllister credits her success at the night market to the inclusivity within the city of Tacoma.

“There is more of a small town vibe here and more of an inclusive vibe, the people here are interested in col­laborating and supporting each other,” McAllister said.

One thing is for sure, the night market truly is a one of a kind experi­ence in downtown Tacoma. It’s liveli­ness and uniqueness make it the per­fect event to browse local goods, people watch from the upstairs bar area and chat with some of Tacoma’s artists.

”We are doing something that Ta­coma hasn’t experienced on this level yet,” McAllister said. “It’s truly amaz­ing to be a part of it.”

Event Details:

Date: Every first Saturdayof the month   Keep up to date with which vendors will be in attendance by following
Time: 5–7 p.m.
Location: 734 Pacific Ave.

Keep up to date with which vendors will be in attendance by following @tacomanightmarket on both Facebook and Instagram.