Historic Tacoma businesses Mr. Mac, Sam and Terry’s to move temporarily

They’ve stood in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood since the 1950s. Now, Mr. Mac Ltd. men’s clothing store and Sam and Terry’s Barbershop are temporarily moving.

The historic set of businesses is vacating their spot on Martin Luther King Junior Way early next year as an apartment building goes in their spot.

But customers don’t need to fret — Mr. Mac manager Derrick Curry said they will be back in the new building when it is complete.

“It’s not permanent — we are going to be relocating,” Curry said.

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In the meantime, the two shops are hosting the Mr. Mac Experience — complete with music and a men’s fashion show — Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to celebrate the business’ long legacy and hopes for the future.

Before taking over as manager, Curry had been a frequent patron of Mr. Mac, which was run by owner Morris McCollum — known as Mr. Mac — until his death in 2017. Curry said the store is a paradise for male fashion, often drawing musicians and theater folk looking for bold costumes.

“Anything that you wanted from 50s, 60s, 70s, whatever style of clothing you wanted, [Mr. Mac] catered to all walks of life … from dress to casual to leisurewear … and tons of accessories, cuff links, tie pins, tie tacks, suspenders, belts, socks, you name it, every color in the rainbow,” he said.

Just as much a part of the legacy is Sam and Terry’s Barbershop, which Curry said is the first Black-owned barbershop in Tacoma. Both the barbershop and Mr. Mac have a strong tradition of community service; Curry said that Sam and Terry’s has mentored young men over the years, and has given kids free back-to-school haircuts every fall.

“The legacy goes on — we don’t ever want it to stop,” Curry said. “Because Mr. Sam Daniels and Mr. Larry Terry, as well as Mr. Mac, did a lot for the community.”

It’s not yet known where the two businesses will move as the new building is constructed, but one thing is for sure — they will stay together, so that men can get their head-to-toe makeover in one spot.

“We’re gonna keep the barbershop and the store together wherever we move,” Curry said. “That was the idea that we came up with, because when they leave out of the barbershop, they can come into the men’s clothing store and get their suits and clothes and accessories.”

Attendees must remember to wear their facemasks if they want to be part of the Mr. Mac Experience. The event capacity will be limited, and temperatures will be checked at the door.

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