BY WHITNEY STEVENS for WEEKLY VOLCANO 11/28/25 |
The holidays are here, and while it is tempting to click “add to cart” from the comfort of your couch, there is something irreplaceable about wandering into a local shop, chatting with an owner who knows their inventory inside and out, and finding that perfect gift you did not even know existed. Tacoma’s small business scene is thriving, and this season offers the perfect opportunity to discover, or rediscover, the independent shops that make our city special.
We have rounded up some of Tacoma’s finest locally owned stores to help you tackle your holiday list. From toys to knives to vinyl records, here is where to find gifts that will actually make people excited to unwrap them.
For the Person Who Has Everything
Let us start with Compass Rose (3815 N 26th St), an exquisite gift store that has become a go-to for anyone stumped by a difficult recipient. This place truly has something for everyone on your list, and we mean everyone. Shopping for a new baby? They have you covered. Need something for the amateur chef who already owns three Le Creuset pots? They will have options you have not considered. Looking for jewelry that does not look like it came from every other jewelry store? Compass Rose delivers.
When you need a gift for someone and genuinely have no idea what to get them, Stocklist Goods (1934 Pacific Ave), Urban Squirrel (747 Broadway), and Proctor Mercantile (2704 N Proctor St) are problem solvers. Stocklist and Proctor Mercantile offer curated selections of gifts for almost anyone, while Urban Squirrel is a vintage shop filled with one-of-a-kind finds that make thoughtful, distinctive gifts.
The newly opened Good Luck Shop (3813 N 26th St) in Proctor offers unique clothing and gifts for the thoughtful consumer. It is the perfect stop for anyone who appreciates items with a story behind them.
The Little Ones (and the Young at Heart)
Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone shopping for kids have excellent options in Tacoma. McCoy Kids (504 S 11th St) specializes in quality over quantity, with curated gift boxes as their specialty. The Curious Bear (2061 Mildred St W) brings the magic with brands like Brio, Yoto, and Tonies, plus a staff who are genuinely delighted to help you find the right gift and even wrap it for you. Teaching Toys (2624 N Proctor St) offers an impressive selection ranging from kids’ board games and puzzles to scooters and Legos.
If you know a skateboarder, Grit City Grindhouse (311 S 7th St) is your stop. Even if you have no idea what you are looking for, the staff will help you find something your skater will love.
For the Book Lovers
Tacoma’s bookstore scene is having a moment. King’s Books (218 St Helens Ave) is the OG. You can find new and used titles here and pet a kitty while you are at it, which might honestly be the best shopping experience available. Grit City Books (3116 6th Ave) is the newish kid on the block with a great atmosphere and selection. Shelf Indulgence (2607 6th Ave), Tacoma’s newest bookstore, specializes in romance books, perfect for warming your book lover right up.
For the Stationery and Paper Enthusiasts
If you are shopping for someone who still believes in the power of a handwritten note, Lauda (506 S 11th St) and PaperLuxe (2053 Mildred St W) are must-visit stops. Lauda offers everything a pen-and-paper lover could want, while PaperLuxe expands the category with unique gift items that range from paper goods to cookbooks to Tacoma-themed treasures, featuring beloved brands such as Rifle Paper Co. and Emily Lex watercolors.
For the Gamers and Players
Elegant Octopus Games (2608 6th Ave) and Tacoma Games (3013 6th Ave) are great destinations for board-game enthusiasts. Elegant Octopus has a wide selection of Pokémon cards, Magic, other trading cards, and board games, while Tacoma Games focuses on an extensive selection of board games for every type of player. The staff at both shops know their stuff and can point you in the right direction.
For the Creative Souls and Makers
Tinkertopia (1914 Pacific Ave) and Artists and Craftsman Supply (616 St Helens Ave) are must-visits for the artists and makers in your life. Tinkertopia is a magical warren filled with unusual items for crafty reuse, and they offer crafting hours and parties. Consider giving the gift of an experience by bringing your creative person to explore this place together.
Throwing Mud Gallery (2210 N 30th St) and Tacoma Glassblowing Studio (114 S 23rd St) offer opportunities to make your own pottery piece or hand-blown glass item. For the person who values experiences over things, this is a gift they will remember long after the holidays.
For the Pacific Northwest Lover
PNW Shop (2702 N Proctor St) has been a Proctor institution for good reason. It is filled to the brim with locally created gifts. Highlights include an excellent selection of Native-made goods and ready-to-mail gift boxes that are perfect for sending to out-of-town friends or family who miss the Northwest.
eTc Tacoma (116 S 9th St) offers iconic Tacoma streetwear that lets you flaunt your Grit City pride.
For the Food Obsessed
Tacoma Knife (502 S 11th St) is a kitchen-goods shop stocked with chef-quality items that will make any home cook feel like a professional. They also offer knife-sharpening services, which make a fantastic stocking-stuffer gift certificate for anyone who has been dicing onions with a dull blade.
For the tea lover, Mad Hat Tea (924 Broadway) is where Tobin and his staff will set you up with amazing hand-blended teas. From tasty to “cures what ails you,” there is a tea for anyone on your list.
And for a Tacoma institution that has been operating since 1925, Johnson’s Candy Company (924 M. L. K. Jr. Way) offers some of the best stocking-stuffer treats around. Nothing says holidays like quality candy from a place that has been perfecting its craft for nearly a century.
For the Music Lover
Hi-Voltage Records (2714 6th Ave) stands out in Tacoma’s thriving vinyl scene as one of the best. For the person who still believes album art matters and that there is something special about dropping a needle on a record, this is your stop.
For the Outdoor Enthusiasts and Animal Lovers
If you have a gardener in your life, Chirp and Co. (3803 N 26th St) is a great stop with a massive selection of garden art, bird feeders, bird baths, and everything in between.
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium offers multiple gifting options. Buy tickets to ZooLights through New Year’s, gift a zoo membership or passes, or pick up a plush animal that includes tracking information for a real wild animal.
For Looking and Feeling Your Best
If you are shopping for someone who appreciates quality jewelry beyond the chain stores, Lapis (3823 N 26th St) and LeRoy’s Jewelry (940 Broadway) offer distinctive pieces with character and craftsmanship. For haircare and beauty stocking stuffers, Mattice Beauty Supply (3906 S 12th St) has you covered with products and expertise you will not find at the drugstore.
Why It Matters
Shopping small is not just about feeling good, although it does. When you buy from a local business, more of your money stays in the community. These shop owners hire local employees, pay local taxes, support local schools and nonprofits, and often source products from local makers and artists. They are also the ones who sponsor your kid’s soccer team, donate to the silent auction, and show up when the community needs them. Purchasing from a small business helps pay your neighbor’s mortgage instead of funding a billionaire’s yacht.
There is also the simple pleasure of customer service from someone who actually cares. These shop owners can make recommendations based on real knowledge, not algorithms. They can wrap your gifts with actual care.
This guide barely scratches the surface. Tacoma is filled with independent shops in every niche imaginable, and many of the businesses featured here have equally great neighbors we did not have room to mention. Think of this as a starting point, not a complete map.
This holiday season, before you default to that online shopping cart, consider taking an afternoon to explore these Tacoma treasures. Bring a friend, grab a coffee, and make your shopping an experience rather than a chore. Your gift recipients will get something special, your community will benefit, and you might just discover your new favorite shop in the process.
Happy shopping, Tacoma.
