Parable, a family-owned bookstore, plant shop, and community space in the McKinley neighborhood of Tacoma, Wash., will close October 31. The News Tribune reported that the store had "attracted a following and reputation as a space that celebrated local artists and makers. The Black-, women- and queer-owned store held regular book clubs, markets, queer line dancing, open mics, workshops and pop-ups." The shop was launched in 2021 by co-owners LaKecia Farmer, Le'Ecia Farmer, and cousin Deatria "DeeDee" Williams.
In a recent social media post, Parable's owners wrote: "With full hearts, we share the bittersweet news that we are closing shop. This decision wasn’t easy but is the best for our family. Over the years we have experienced great joys and accomplishments but also heartache, family loss, and struggle. There are no words for how meaningful it’s been to witness the way that our community came together to lift up our work, and the heart and sweat put in by people like you has sustained and nurtured Parable. But the grief our family is holding and subsequent loss of capacity took a toll. Our building managers have informed us that our building is changing ownership, so we saw it as the right moment to transition our business.
"Parable has always been more than a business. In this space we built community and watched beautiful networks form for Tacoma as a whole. It’s been an honor to hold the space for so many inspiring community members to gather, celebrate our brilliance, care for each other and just be joyful together. With that in mind, we are trusting that the seeds we’ve planted (with your help) these past four years will continue to bear fruit--this is just the beginning.... We are merely closing this chapter of Parable for now."
Last April, Parable had launched a $31,000 GoFundMe campaign to keep the business open. It raised more than $25,000. At the time, LaKecia Farmer told the News Tribune that business had slowed since January, the workload was becoming unsustainable for the family and Parable did not have the funding to expand. Farmer said the family knew opening a business during the pandemic and social unrest was risky, but they had moved forward with a mission to serve the greater community and carry on the legacy for their children.