With the opening of the "Over the Moon Cafe" and the "Ruby Collection" showroom and retail store, Opera Alley presents the first of what promises to be a number of intriguing commercial and public amenities. Since mid-summer, new sidewalks have been paved, buildings have been refurbished, and there is more on the way - including new ornamental street lights, a landscaping element with bronze statue and other public artworks.


The development is being conducted by the Opera Alley Association, an alliance of all property and business owners located on this street extending from St. Helens to South 7th. It is their intention to create a distinct identity for this corridor through the significant enhancement of building and public space infrastructure. The corridor was officially renamed Opera Alley as an historic tribute to the colorfully notorious stretch of bars and bordellos that were located in the area a century ago. As was the inspiration of the name then, Opera Alley is in close proximity to the active Theater District, This time Opera Alley will be the site of a mix of uses, ranging from office, retail, residential, parking and dining facilities. The long-range development plan will be on specialty retail businesses incorporating the diversity of the arts. These activities will, of course, provide economic stimulation, pedestrian-friendly access and creative charm for a once neglected neighborhood.


Opera Alley's ties to artistic expression extend from present-day involvement with the Tacoma Opera Association back to the historic roots of the Passages Building, which was known as The Savoy Theater nearly 100 years ago. One of Tacoma's first operatic performances was presented in The Savoy, which also featured the famed Sarah Bernhardt in a performance of "Camille" in 1907. The stage door was between what is now 709 and 711 Opera Alley.