Spouse expeditions

Exploring downtown Puyallup with the Pacific Northwest Explorers

By Marguerite Cleveland on December 29, 2016

The Pacific Northwest Explorers are an active group of military spouses who enjoy learning and exploring the local communities and sites surrounding Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This month's adventure focused on a day in downtown Puyallup.

The group started their adventure with breakfast and coffee at the Rose Restaurant. This homey, local spot dishes up deliciously prepared food served during our visit by a sassy waitress named Jackie. She was great fun. Portions were huge and Wendy, the cook, even peeked out of the kitchen to make sure we were enjoying our food.  On a particularly chilly day, the bottomless coffee was appreciated especially when Jackie just seemed to know when to pour a touch to heat it back up.

The Main Street Puyallup Association is actively promoting local businesses and hosting downtown events.  The Explorers worked off their filling breakfast walking around the Main Street area.  Many buildings have historic information posted on the outside walls that lets you learn about Puyallup's history. There are a number of unique antique, junk and gift shops. One of the favorites was "Her Shabby Chateau," filled with antiques, vintage pieces and professionally painted furniture. The store also carries craft paints and other supplies.

The Ezra Meeker Mansion was the next stop.  The home was beautifully decorated for the holiday season.  On the second floor, the mansion is still being restored to its former glamour. The group found the restoration of the stenciled ceilings through 15 layers of paint to be very interesting.  Tours are led by volunteers, who are knowledgeable about the history of the home as well as the restoration process.  In addition to tours, high teas are offered for groups. Reservations are necessary.

Last stop for the day was Wine, Décor and More.  Make sure you note the comma after wine, as the store is a furniture and décor place, which also sells wine.  The store offers wine tastings, and in a unique twist, you can sip your wine while shopping.  For $5, you receive five wine tickets, each good for a one-ounce pour.  The shop specializes in small boutique and family-owned wineries from Washington and Oregon.  They currently carry 60 different wines from over 20 wineries that are not carried in most stores.

The Pacific Northwest Explorers is a sub club of the Lewis Community Spouses' Club (LCSC).  You must be a member of LCSC to join the sub clubs. The club is also open to retired military spouses. For more information on membership eligibility, go to lewiscommunityspousesclub.org.  The group meets the third Thursday of the month.  

The Rose Restaurant, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, 122 W. Main, Puyallup, 253.845.2874

Her Shabby Chateau, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday, 106 W. Meeker, Puyallup, 253.327.4352

Ezra Meeker Mansion, noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, closed January and February, 312 Spring St., Puyallup, 253.848.1770, meekermansion.org       

Wine, Décor and More, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 109 N. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.4450, wine-decorandmore.com