The economy may be on the ropes, but it sounds like there’s hope — at least on Sixth Avenue. One of the Weekly Volcano’s favorite strips of city, Sixth Avenue is home to restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries, furniture stores, homes, families … you get the idea. Sixth Avenue is a nice little microcosm of Tacoma. And like the city herself, it’s hurting. But Sixth Avenue also is packed with business owners and residents who are full of hope and setting a nice example for the rest of us as it keeps on keeping on.



“I’ve been here for 27 years, and I’ve been through this before,” says John Loesch, owner of Sixth Avenue Neighborhood Market. “We struggle, but we survive. That’s what you do during a time like this — you survive.”



Loesch has seen the arrival and departure of dozens of businesses along Sixth Avenue during nearly three decades of doing business there. And while things may be a little slow, the Market is still able to pay bills. Loesch helps out silently by looking for items he can buy at a discount, and then he passes the savings on to his customers. The generosity may seem counterintuitive, but it really isn’t.



“I may not make much money, but I keep them coming back,” he says, adding that he’s willing to take a small hit if it means helping out his customers during a difficult time.

There are some businesses that aren’t doing as well as Sixth Avenue Market, says Dave Parker, Sixth Avenue Business District secretary. But for every closure, a new store opens, or a kind gesture is made.



“My general observation is that things are going as well as can be expected,” says Parker. “Most businesses are feeling a little bit of a pinch.”



But on Sixth Avenue that pinch doesn’t seem to be reflected in the motivation of business owners. For example, six stores will be keeping later hours on Thursdays in hopes of drumming up new business, and keeping the neighborhood active. Posh Home, Red Line, The Shoe Show, Jewell Day Spa, Far and Wide (a recently opened home décor and gift spot), and Herban Gourmet won’t be keeping all the proceeds for themselves. Despite that pinch Parker was talking about, they’ll donate a portion of proceeds to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.



Also among local heroes are couples Caesar and Tina Kalinowski, and Jeff and Jayne Vanderslelt, who recently took ownership of Shakabrah Java. Even more worthy of joy is the continued tenure of former owner Angel Stamborsky, who has stayed on as head chef. Two words: Blueberry Pancakes. The switch arrives on the heels of a rumor that the legendary coffee house was on the brink of closing. Details of the deal were not available, but the new owners have noted plans for expansion, including the debut of a dinner menu, extended hours during music nights (they have a fresh little stage), a renewed beer and wine license, and some fix-ups to the interior. Parker is fairly certain that the new owners will be able to keep the place afloat.



“People (business owners) universally say they love Sixth Avenue and that they’re doing better than they have anywhere else,” he says.



Loesch says he finds hope in all this new blood. People opening businesses on Sixth Avenue seem motivated, community minded, generous and dedicated to maintaining a great attitude. Loesch says strong community connections, generosity and hard work are important when trying to survive difficult times.



“When somebody is like that, they’ll do OK,” says Loesch. “We all need to be involved. That’s what it takes for small business people to survive.”