Increasing rent closes Tacoma minority-owned business

Destiny City Comics, a cherished minority-owned business in Tacoma, has closed after ten years due to escalating rent prices. Owner Matt Nebeker, known in the wrestling world as "ETHAN HD," shared that the store faced instability after being placed on a month-to-month lease, which compounded the challenges of a significant 25% rent increase over five years. He expressed his concerns about the viability of small businesses under such financial strain, especially considering the pandemic's initial impact on their operations. Although the closure is difficult, Nebeker found solace in reconnecting with customers who returned to show their support. In a thoughtful gesture, he plans to donate dozens of books to tiny free libraries across Tacoma as a way to give back to the community that supported him.

Nebeker is also looking forward to resuming his professional wrestling career, with a match scheduled for March 14 in Tacoma. The closure of Destiny City Comics highlights broader issues of rising costs affecting local businesses, especially minority-owned ones. Local business owners can seek assistance through community reinvestment and lending programs as they navigate these challenges.