Tacoma Bread Opens in Historic Downtown Building

Owners Mike Bell and Ann Murphy have launched a new neighborhood bakery in a renovated 1900s-era auto shop.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Baking

Tacoma Bread Opens in Historic Downtown Building

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Tacoma Bread is now open at 313-317 S. 7th St. in downtown Tacoma, aiming to provide fresh sourdough and other baked goods to the local community. The bakery operates in a historic building that previously served as a car shop.

Why it matters

The owners opened the bakery to fill a gap in the local market for fresh, house-made sourdough bread. By establishing this neighborhood concept, they provide residents with artisanal staples within the city center.

Located at 313-317 S. 7th St., the bakery operates within a structure originally built in 1900. The shop currently features a menu centered on baguettes, levain boules, and pain de mie.

The players

Mike Bell

Mike Bell is a co-owner of Tacoma Bread who helped develop the bakery's artisan bread recipes.

Ann Murphy

Ann Murphy is a co-owner of Tacoma Bread who operates the new bakery in downtown Tacoma.

Blossom Coffee Roasters

Blossom Coffee Roasters is a coffee supplier based in Vashon, Washington, that provides beans to the bakery.

The details

Owners Mike Bell and Ann Murphy spent years developing their recipes by tracking successes and failures in a personal notebook. They renovated the former car shop to create their storefront, where they now serve coffee sourced from Blossom Coffee Roasters.

The building housing the bakery was constructed in 1900.
The owners purchased the property in 2015.
Tacoma Bread officially opened for business on Oct. 15, 2026.
The bakery is currently open Thursday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Culture Shift

This opening reflects the ongoing trend of repurposing turn-of-the-century industrial spaces to anchor neighborhood-level commercial development in urban centers. By converting a former car shop into a bakery, the owners are contributing to the broader revitalization of downtown Tacoma.

Residents can visit the bakery during its current Thursday through Sunday morning hours to purchase fresh sourdough products. The owners plan to eventually expand the menu to offer items like sandwiches and additional loaf varieties in the future.

The takeaway

The transformation of a 126-year-old car shop into a bakery highlights how historic architecture can be successfully repurposed for modern community needs. New small businesses often adjust their initial operating hours and menu offerings as they gauge local demand during their opening weeks.