Black Owned: Parable Tacoma

This business is a dream come true for me in Tacoma. Parable Tacoma is a women owned, black owned family business, it is both a boutique and a bookstore. The sisters and cousin behind the business were enjoying their neighborhood when they initially saw the empty space and began to dream. That is the best part - this is their neighborhood; the historical McKinley Hill neighborhood.

The dream turned into planning and planning became an opening to the public August 2021 with the help of donations, fundraising and family. Since the doors opened we have heard a ton about them, all amazing things, we have seen the open mics and the engagement with the community through utilizing their space for others. There was a fire that burned down half an apartment building on McKinley, where Parable is also located, and they immediately jumped into action. They created simple ways to donate to the victims and housed all the donations as well. It’s heartwarming to see black women curating knowledge in their neighborhood, finding success and receiving a warm welcome. My first parable purchase was the “WILL” Will Smith memoir. That was the icing on the cake. I was going into visit for the first time and ready to purchase anything that jumped out a me because I expected the selection to me very niche and possibly older reads, afro-cult classics that I’m still ignorant to. Some of that was there but finding the modern day read and rather new release that I was looking for in a locally owned bookstore made my heart skip a beat and I “woooowed” aloud in the store. This place is a necessity in my life now and after your first trip you will understand.