The Proctor District is one of Tacoma’s most celebrated and desirable neighborhoods, offering an idyllic urban village experience with broad appeal.
Why Proctor?
The Proctor District features some great old historic homes and a wonderful mix of owner operated shops and restaurants, including Metropolitan Market, Chalet Bowl, Cactus and the historic Blue Mouse Theater – the oldest continuously operating movie theater in Washington State.
The University of Puget Sound serves as an anchor institution in the neighborhood, providing access to a wide variety of academic, athletic and cultural activities. The Proctor District also offers a weekly farmer’s market, excellent public schools and easy access to Point Ruston, Point Defiance Park and downtown Tacoma.
Metropolitan Market
Though some complain about the prices at Met Market, the quality of their products and their customer service just can’t be beat. The store was updated and expanded a few years ago and now offers an extensive selection of fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses and charcuterie, prepared foods, meats and fish, wine and flowers. And the Met Market cookie?? It’ll change your life.
Chalet Bowl
Chalet Bowl (originally known as North End Alleys) opened in 1941, making it the oldest continuously operating bowling alley in Washington State. Owned by the Frederick family since 1984, Chalet Bowl is USBC league sanctioned and compliant. It’s also a great place to spend an evening with friends and family, proving that good fun never goes out of style.
Cactus
This Southwest-inspired restaurant and bar is one of the newest dining options in the Proctor District, offering a lively atmosphere, tasty food and a mean margarita. Tacoma-based BCRA Design collaborated with 80 Grit Fabrication on the build out, creating a super cool vibe. Whether you’re eating on the patio or inside at the bar or in a booth, bring a healthy appetite. You won’t be disappointed.
The Blue Mouse Theater
This single screen movie theater has been serving the Proctor District since 1923. Like many independent movie theaters, the Blue Mouse fell on hard times in the 1980s. Fortunately, in 1993, the theater was purchased and restored by a committed group of historic preservationists. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, the Blue Mouse remains Washington’s oldest continuously running movie theater.
Puget Park
This small city park is located just north of the commercial heart of Proctor on a gulch that leads down to the waterfront. The first portion of the park was donated to the city by Allen Mason in 1888. Amenities include a playground, a picnic area and a wooded trail to the waterfront. It’s a great place to commune with nature.
Mark Pinto is a top-producing Realtor with Windermere Chambers Bay, specializing in residential real estate in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, University Place and Lakewood.
Mark Pinto: (253) 318-0923
MarkPinto@windermere.com
