Welcome Blue Octopus!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2014

FOR INFORMATION

Heather Joy, Spaceworks Manager

253-682-1722      

heatherj@tacomachamber.org

SpaceworksTacoma.com

Spaceworks Announces The Blue Octopus Grand Opening

Friday, September 12, 2014 ~ 11am-8pm
5013 N. Pearl Street, Ruston

Tacoma, Wash –

Spaceworks Tacoma is excited to announce the latest Spaceworks Creative Enterprise to open its doors, The Blue Octopus on Pearl. Grand opening festivities are set for Friday, September 12 from 11am – 6pm, plus a reception from 6 – 8pm, at 5013 N. Pearl Street in Ruston.

Nationally recognized artist Kerry Cole, owner of The Blue Octopus, offers painting parties, an art gallery, and a painting studio at her new location. Since early 2010, The Blue Octopus has been located in downtown Tacoma, first at Sanford & Sons, then at a co-operative space called The Saint Helens Ave Mercantile, where four women-owned businesses operate under one roof. Cole needed more space for her sought-after painting parties and has been working with Spaceworks since early in the year to find a larger home for her business. Regarding her new spot, Cole says, “This location has a lux, relaxed, beachy vibe which more accurately reflects the feeling you would have while painting in a cottage by the sea.”

Along with space, Spaceworks Tacoma has provided Cole with business training, one-on-one consultation and marketing support. Thanks to Spaceworks’ partnership with the property owners John & Karen Trueman, Cole has also been provided with 6 months free rent. The Trueman’s wanted to activate the first floor of their previously vacant building that until a year ago was Ruston’s liquor store. They knew with plenty of vacant space in Ruston that the Spaceworks program “was a good way to fill our space with something new to the area.”

“Looking at the Spaceworks success rate, which we understood to be 80%, we also felt that there is a very good chance that our Spaceworks tenant will sign a lease with us to continue the business when the Spaceworks lease is up. So to us, it’s a ‘win win’ situation and well worth the effort,” the Truemans said.

The Blue Octopus on Pearl’s business hours are Wednesday – Sunday from 11am – 7pm. One-on-one instruction, private or ‘Sips-N-Canvas’ painting parties can be scheduled any time. Details can be found at: www.theblueoctopus.com

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Vacancy to Vitality! Spaceworks Tacoma is a joint initiative of the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber designed to activate empty storefronts and vacant space in Tacoma. The initiative makes no- and low-cost temporary space, training, and technical assistance available to artists, creative entrepreneurs, organizations, and community groups in order to nurture successful projects that transform Tacoma into a stronger, more active city. Since starting in July 2010, Spaceworks has worked with over 150 artists and creatives in 31 spaces around Tacoma.