How it all began..
The story of B & I Public Marketplace begins in 1946, when army veterans M. Leo Bradshaw and Earl Leonard Irwin opened a small army-surplus and hardware store in Lakewood, Washington. What started as a modest business quickly became a community destination. Through the years, the founders expanded their store, adding rides, attractions, animals, and events — transforming it into the well-known “B&I Circus Store.”
Today, the B & I remains true to its roots as a gathering place for families and friends. With over 60 locally owned shops across 150,000 square feet, it continues to serve the Tacoma and Lakewood communities with the same spirit of fun, creativity, and connection that began nearly eight decades ago.
