🏗️ Tacoma Mall Unveils Major Redevelopment: The Village

If you’ve been to Tacoma Mall recently, you may have noticed a few things look… different.

That’s because The Village, the mall’s newest redevelopment project, is officially underway — and it marks one of the biggest shifts in how Tacoma Mall wants to serve the South Sound.

Rather than just a shopping destination, The Village is designed to reimagine the mall as a full lifestyle hub, complete with new restaurants, refreshed outdoor spaces, and a mix of food, fashion, and entertainment aimed at keeping pace with the region’s rapid growth.

🍜 Who’s Coming to The Village?
The new development is anchored by a modern, chef-driven food hall experience — and the lineup is already impressive.

Here are some of the restaurants and vendors confirmed so far:

• Shake Shack – East Coast burger icon making its South Sound debut

• Dave’s Hot Chicken – Spicy fried chicken sensation with cult-level following

• Supreme Dumplings – Taiwanese-style dumplings, noodles, and bubble tea

• Happy Lamb Hot Pot – Family-style hot pot experience

• Simply Thai – Casual Thai cuisine with bold flavors

• Gong Cha – Internationally popular boba tea franchise

• Sushi options – With more vendors expected to be announced soon

This mix of fast-casual, global, and social dining options reflects a clear strategy: attract a new generation of diners and shoppers who value experience and variety just as much as convenience.

🛍️ What Is “The Village”?
The Village is part of Tacoma Mall’s larger reinvestment into its space and future relevance — a trend many malls across the country are now following.

Instead of focusing solely on retail, the project introduces:

• Outdoor gathering areas with seating, lighting, and event space

• Expanded food and beverage options

• More walkable, mixed-use style design elements

• A community-first approach to shopping and entertainment

With Pierce County’s population booming — and surrounding cities like Lakewood, Puyallup, and South Tacoma seeing increased residential growth — Tacoma Mall is positioning itself as a regional anchor for culture, dining, and community life.

📍 Location & Progress
The Village is located near the south entrance of Tacoma Mall, adjacent to the main retail corridor and movie theater area. Construction is actively underway, and several vendors are expected to begin opening in phases throughout 2025.

🛠️ Timeline: Ongoing through late 2025
📍 Location: Tacoma Mall — 4502 S Steele St, Tacoma, WA 98409

🎯 Why It Matters
This isn’t just about new restaurants — it’s about rethinking what a mall can be.

With national retail shifting away from traditional indoor malls, The Village represents a broader move toward experience-driven spaces — where people gather not just to shop, but to eat, meet, work, and relax.

For Tacoma, this project brings:

• Job creation

• Local economic stimulation

• New reasons to visit the mall — even if you’re not shopping

• A more attractive destination for regional visitors and families

And for the South Sound as a whole, it’s another sign of just how much growth and energy is moving into our backyard.

📨 I’m Aaron Thomas, a local realtor sharing stories about growth, development, and neighborhood evolution across the South Sound.
Every Friday, we publish the South Sound Report — covering what’s next for Tacoma, Lakewood, Olympia, and beyond.

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