Antique Charm in Freighthouse Square, Tacoma
by GBMiwani on 06/18/08 at 6:33 pm
Freight House Square can be easy to miss sitting between the Tacoma Dome and the monstrous bus station. But you don’t want to pass up this collage of a little bit of everything. The appeal that sets Freight House Square separate from the common strip mall is the historic background and antique charm. When I come here, I’m not looking for the modern necessities, and definitely not trying to push past mall rats; I’m looking to step back in time for a simple and sophisticated time… and fat cinnamon rolls!
The old wooden floors, the window front style stores, the leisurely customers. It’s all part of the historic charisma. Now, this long green building is called the Freight House Square, lined with boutiques, collectibles, gift shops, art stores, and a good size international food court. There’s an antique store that reminds me that I was once a foolish and impulsive young woman in love, my first engagement ring was bought there years and years ago. So to forget all about it I indulge in the huge cinnamon rolls that actually taste good too. That’s when better memories surface, like me and my girlfriend during high school ogling over the fondant wedding cakes at Celebrity Cake Studio.
On the way to show off Peggy’s Cinnamon Rolls, I noticed I hadn’t been here in a while. Nowadays, Peggy’s is hosted by Tosta Café, who roasts their own coffee. So this is a change that’s fine by me, I love local roasters. They even have their own little cozy living room. If I wanted free WIFI, then I’d have to head to the Mocha Stop Espresso joint in the food court. But I wasn’t there to work, I was there to show my grandparents around and eat some fat cinnamon rolls.
Despite being a vintage landmark, Freight House has the modern necessities that make your meandering comfortable: bathrooms, ATM, espresso, parking lot, elevator, etc. My friends who visit usually will find some original souvenir to bring back home, something that isn’t common in every mall. You see, there’s no Old Navy, Gap, or Macy’s. Nope, not even a Starbucks. It’s just a sweet place, not putting on any airs, or trying to be something it’s not. Did I mention the cinnamon rolls?
