She’s dedicated to downtown Tacoma
Tacoma, WA — The newest president of the small but influential Downtown Merchants Group walks the talk of downtown revitalization.
She lives and works downtown but hangs onto her car for the occasional trip to University Place.
“I actually go all the way to Trader Joe’s, because I love Trader Joe’s,” said Whitney Rhodes, who said she does most of her shopping at farmers markets.
Rhodes is a co-owner of Suite 133, a shared-work space on Seventh Street and Pacific Avenue; a partner in the consulting firm Seasonal View; and a graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma with a degree in economic development and a minor in urban studies. She also works part-time for Pierce County Councilman Timothy Farrell, who represents Tacoma.
“I love downtown,” said the Enumclaw native. “I’m heavily invested in what happens down here. I want it to be successful. I really believe in small business. We need all size businesses to be successful, but to make streets lively and to make this city feel like it’s pulsing, you need that street-level retail.”
