TBC in the News Tribune

TBC is grateful for the recent coverage of our story in The News Tribune.

The Barber Collective started in Watje’s garage in 2020 and grew. Currently the shop is housed in the back of The Mill at 515 6th Ave., and opened there in September. In December when the business The Barber Collective was subletting from closed, Watje said the building owner asked her to sign a lease for the entire 10,000-square-foot space or vacate in 60 days, which left the future of her business up in the air.

Kyle Prosser, the principal leasing broker for the building, told The News Tribune on Friday that what The Barber Collective offered to pay the building owner in monthly rent wasn’t feasible, so the owner issued a 60-day notice to pay or vacate. Prosser said The Mill and the building owner parted ways amicably, and the entire space is available to lease. Building owner Ron Anway told The News Tribune on Friday he did not know what would go into the space in the future.

Watje said after looking for another space nearby that was close to public transit, The Barber Collective will be moving into a new larger space at the Tacoma Armory in early April and hiring additional staff.

A GoFundMe to offset moving costs had raised nearly $6,000 as of Friday morning. Watje said The Barber Collective also will throw a Mutual Aid Benefit March 24 at The Glass Factory in Tacoma with a silent auction of local business goods, a food truck, specialty cocktails and music from local queer musicians. The event will support The Barber Collective’s moving and renovation costs and go from 3-8 p.m., she said.

Becca Most – The News Tribune

Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article286243595.html