A popular Tacoma wine bar and sandwich shop returns — this time with an awesome view

Stink is back in town.

After leaving their popular sandwich shop and wine bar on St. Helens Avenue last year, Jenny Smith and Steve Ramsay will rekindle the concept this fall in a new location that’s somewhat discreet but with a surprising view. Just take the big staircase (or the elevator) up to 909 A St.

“I’m looking at the 11th Street Bridge right now, and the Tacoma Dome and the marina, and it’s just beautiful,” said Smith in October.

With floor-to-ceiling windows, the old office cafeteria offers some 3,000 square feet, which Smith admitted was not inherently “cozy,” but they have brought in an array of seating options, from big booths to regular and high-top tables, plants and pendant lights. A small wine bar area has four stools, recycled from the former outpost at 628 St. Helens Ave.

“We’ve definitely turned it into Stink,” said Smith.

Even better, the cafe space, just past the concierge desk, boasts the additional perk of a private balcony, down a staircase but also with elevator access, that seats around 40 people.

As business partners, Smith and Ramsay operated Stink Cheese and Meat on St. Helens Avenue from 2018 to 2023. After the difficulty of the pandemic, they were burnt out.

“We were owner-operators all the way,” recalled Smith. “There were no days where we would not be there.”

They sold the business last summer, offering the new owner access to their sandwich menu for a year. That bar, which rebranded as The Blue Rose, closed in June.

That’s not why they’re back, though. Over the past year, which Smith described as a “much-needed hiatus for us to breathe and regroup,” they traveled a bit and spent more time with their respective families. But they missed the industry and especially their customers, who encouraged them to consider the comeback they had teased when they left the longtime home of Stink, a staple of the neighborhood since 2011 (under its founder, who sold it to Smith and Ramsay).

“We had people messaging us. ‘Tacoma strong’ is no joke,” said Smith.

At first they considered a food truck but transitioned to a storefront search and found the current space, which worked for a daytime-focused schedule.

Stink 2.0 will hold standard hours of 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays only, although they will let guests linger if it feels right. They plan to continue happy hour, 3-6 p.m., and will accept reservations for large groups to enjoy family-style dining.

In addition to taking orders for to-go party platters ($70-$145), they hope to become a choice for private parties on weekday evenings and on weekends.

Regulars of the St. Helens shop will recognize much of the menu of sandwiches ($12), including The Stinker, a grilled PB&J with bleu cheese; the Monte-Stinko, their take on a Monte Cristo; and The Turkey with mango chutney. Salads, soup and the well-loved combo deals also return, along with bacon-wrapped dates, charcuterie plates, antipasti, and mac and cheese.

In addition to wine, the bar will have packaged beer (no draft system) and cocktails, as the former Stink did.

Aside from the extra square footage, super-high ceilings and grand view, the new-new for Smith and Ramsay is coffee.

“We’re bartenders by trade,” said Smith, so they found a high-quality “super-automatic espresso machine.” Drip coffee will also be available.

STINK CHEESE & MEAT

▪ 909 A St., Tacoma, 253-327-1937, stinktacoma.com

▪ Details: Tacoma sandwich shop and wine bar reopens in new location; follow instagram.com/stinkcheeseandmeat for updates