Marguerite interviews Paul Kunitsa from the Waterfront Market at Point Ruston. The Kunitsa Family immigrated to the US and to Tacoma when he was a child, first settling on the Eastside then to University Place. Paul now lives on Tacoma’s West Slope. Paul shares his story of running a construction company and through “a series of events” ended up owning the 35,000 square foot building that houses the Waterfront Market at Point Ruston. He shares their goals of expanding and growing the market. From vendors they have to the ideal vendors they’d like to attract. “It’s more than the products that are sold at the market. You get to meet people face to face, in this economy, in this place that we’re in. For me the coolest thing is the networking part, connecting with people on a deeper level. All this stuff is pretty unique to each individual vendor.”

Paul shares that their goal is to be like Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Vendors lease space in the market full time, seven days per week, and year round while others do “pop ups” and short term stays on the weekend and throughout the year. “Some of our core vendors include Taco Street, Owen’s Meats… vendors who create art and jewelry and sell clothes. All kinds of categories in one building.”

“Food is a big draw for people,” says Paul. “That’s the biggest area we’re growing right now. Then expanding into produce and grocery and the daily needs of people who live down and around here.” The market is a great place for new and small businesses to grow without expensive overhead. With the events that go on attracting Tacomans from around the city, a new business can grow their audience and customers.

The Market in Ruston is open Monday-Sunday every day 10am-6pm with food vendors staying open until 8pm. There’s a 4 story parking garage right underneath the market which makes parking easy and free for customers (at the top of the parking garage).

Events Coming up include Hispanic Heritage Month September 15th – October 15th, Doggie Halloween, Indoor Trick or Treating, Yoga, and more. The Event Calendar is in the show notes.

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