Culinary-grade certified organic spices and botanical herbs: my heart leaps at the words. Offering these and therapeutic blends (not casual sipping teas) at Organic Spice Traders, owner Michael Marx told me before he opened his downtown Tacoma shop that he'd also be selling the Organic Coffee Co.'s (out of San Francisco) 100 percent organic Zen Blend.

Step inside Marx's Organic Spice Traders and shelves and counters are lined with jars filled with dried and finely ground goodies, cooking tools and inspiring salts.

Marx stresses that he wants to support other area merchants and won't sell products identical to those sold at neighboring business Mad Hat Tea Company. "It's important to know what people want," he says. "I want to be able to offer that," specifying that he's seeking to offer what patrons want in his focus area of spices, herbs, culinary mixes and the like. Since opening in early June, he has welcomed suggestions and feedback.

Marx is interested in working with someone to tackle the front café portion of the Broadway space. "It's just too big for me and I don't want to change what I'm focused on in order to make food," he says. He mentioned talking with the crepe maker from the Broadway farmers market, but nothing is solidified. Currently for instant edibles, Marx sells packaged muffins, some candy, espresso and bottled and canned drinks in his shop.

[Organic Spice Traders, 1127 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, 253.592.6395]