An affordable Japanese chain has opened its doors near the University of Washington Tacoma.
Musashi’s, which has locations throughout Washington and Oregon, is open at 1740 Pacific Ave.
The fast-casual eatery offers a range of sushi rolls, teriyaki, rice bowls and bento boxes, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
Musashi’s is open from 11 a.m to 9 p.m. every day.
PNW Cheesecake Co. will open its first storefront in Sumner. Courtesy PNW Cheesecake Co. Cheesecake shop opening in East Pierce Co.
PNW Cheesecake Co. is moving into a storefront in Sumner, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
Owners Matthew and Kimber Cornwall started the business in 2023, offering their cheesecake at local farmers markets and other shops.
The Sumner store, 925 Kincaid Ave., is set to open later this fall. PNW Cheesecake Co. specializes in a creamier style of cheesecake, with flavors like blueberry-French toast and strawberry shortcake.
Tacoma getting new smoothie shop
Two Tacoma natives are opening a smoothie shop on Pacific Avenue, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
Fantastic Smoothies is set to open in spring 2027, according to owners Anthony Smith and Adrian Broussard.
The shop, 5431 Pacific Ave., will sell a range of smoothies, including a make-your-own option, plus coffee and breakfast.
Popular coffee chain eyes Tacoma’s South End
Tacoma could be getting a Dutch Bros Coffee shop.
A pre-application was filed with the city for the site at 7605 S. Hosmer St., which used to be a Jack In The Box restaurant, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The Oregon-based coffee chain has locations throughout Pierce County but doesn’t have a shop in Tacoma.
Dutch Bros sells a range of coffee, tea, energy drinks, smoothies and pastries.
Poppy House Art Cafe offers $25 two-hour craft sessions. Minnie Stephenson minnie.stephenson@thenewstribune.com Art cafe opens downtown
Poppy House Art Cafe is now open at 744 Market St., Unit 102A, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The all-ages cafe offers a range of crafts, including bedazzling, bracelet making, collaging, painting and more.
It costs $25 to come and craft for two hours, and bookings must be made in advance online.
Poppy House also hosts different events like movie nights, flower arranging workshops and pumpkin decorating parties.
Local barbecue restaurant moves locations
Brank’s BBQ has officially opened at its new home in Sumner at 2451 136th Ave. Ct. E, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The restaurant originally opened in 1995 in downtown Sumner. The new location has a larger service station and kitchen, plus high ceilings and large windows.
The menu hasn’t changed — the restaurant still offers mains like brisket, smoked chicken, ribs and pulled pork. Sides include mac and cheese, onion rings and a loaded baked potato.
A plate of potato and cheese pierogi, front, and zigeunerschnitzel with dumplings and cabbage, are pictured at Bruno’s European Restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Lakewood, Wash. Liesbeth Powers lpowers@thenewstribune.com Longtime Lakewood eatery closes doors
Bruno’s European Restaurant closed Oct. 17 after 16 years in business, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The restaurant was once featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and served a range of German and Polish cuisine like borscht, schnitzel and hand-pinched pierogi.
Owners Krystyna and Bruno Tomaszewska told The News Tribune that they finally want to take some time for themselves.
Venezuelan eatery in Eastside Tacoma shutters
La Sazon de mi Suegra, at 6324 E. McKinley Ave., has closed after just a few months, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
The restaurant served a range of Columbian and Venezuelan fare, including empanadas, arepas and tequeño (fried cheese wrapped in pastry).
According to an Instagram video, the owner said he hopes to relocate to another neighborhood.
The restaurant could not be reached for comment by The News Tribune.
Minnie Stephenson
The News Tribune
Minnie Stephenson covers restaurant and business news in and around Tacoma for The News Tribune. She has previously worked for WBZ NewsRadio in Boston and the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. Through the Howard Center, she worked on the Associated Press investigation “Lethal Restraint,” which was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2025. She grew up in Marshfield, Massachusetts and graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Maryland.
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