A Ukrainian‑owned market out of Fife looks poised to breathe new life into two long‑dark Shari’s diners in the South Sound, according to recent permit filings. Paperwork in Tacoma and application records in Federal Way show plans to flip the former family‑style restaurants into an Emish restaurant concept rather than a straightforward grocery buildout. If everything clears, it would mark the first expansion for the Fife business beyond its hometown base.
As reported by The News Tribune, initial plans with the City of Tacoma call for turning the former Shari’s at Tacoma Place into an Emish restaurant, while Federal Way records list three permit applications tied to the Campus Square site. According to The News Tribune, Tacoma renderings show restaurant‑only use, and Federal Way permits cover interior remodeling, exterior siding and a new sign. "The exterior work permit has been issued, but we do not believe the work has been completed," Community Development Director Keith Niven told The News Tribune.
Emish's food, bakery and community roots
Emish Market opened in Fife in 2021 as a Ukrainian grocery, bakery and café, and it has built a steady following for its house‑made breads, pastries, deli plates and full café menu. According to Emish Market, the concept pairs a robust bakery and café with imported European goods and traditional Ukrainian dishes, a combination that would give a former 24‑hour diner footprint a very different feel. The owners have presented the shop as a community hub for immigrant families as well as nearby residents looking for something beyond standard American comfort food.
Why the vacant Shari’s matter
Shari’s closures have left noticeable holes in strip centers around the region, and Federal Way locals have not been shy about missing their old breakfast and pie haunt. The Federal Way Mirror reported that the Campus Square Shari’s shut down in December 2023 and that neighbors missed both the pies and the bustling morning crowd. Slotting in a bakery‑café with a grocery component could restore some of that daytime foot traffic and bring energy back to underused storefronts.
Listings and what comes next
A commercial listing for Tacoma Place confirms there are restaurant‑sized pads and endcap spaces near WinCo and LA Fitness, which helps explain why a restaurant conversion might pencil out. The LoopNet listing outlines multiple suites with existing build‑outs and prominent signage opportunities along the I‑5 frontage, conditions that line up well with a café or deli‑style operator looking for visibility.
For now, the paperwork is the clearest sign that change is on the way, and permit approvals and tenant decisions will ultimately decide whether Emish Market plants its flag in Tacoma and Federal Way. City planning reviews, tenant‑improvement approvals and sign permits all need to fall into place before any grand opening, and the timing will hinge on how quickly those reviews move.
