Over the past decade, business owners have rolled up their sleeves in an attempt to resurrect Tacoma’s social scene. Many traded in the expensive swank of Seattle for a more low-key life in the South Sound.

Others, like Brock Leach and Jonathan Rouse, have always seen Tacoma’s potential and have chosen from the beginning to start businesses here.

And so far for this duo, taking a gamble on Tacoma has paid off.

Leach and Rouse, co-owners of The Mix, a bar located on St. Helens Avenue, are celebrating the two-year anniversary of their business this month. They purchased the space, formerly Ida’s Pub, in 2008. Although the bar caters mostly to members of the LGBT community, Leach affirms that the goal of the business is to provide a fun, safe, social space for everyone to relax, meet new people and have a good time.

“We never set out to make it an exclusive gay bar,” Leach said. “We all live in the same neighborhood. I don’t like groups to be separate because they are considered different.” The Mix is a full-service bar serving premium and well liquor, microbrews, domestic beer and wine. Patrons can partake in happy hour from 2-7 p.m. every day and other drink specials. Recently, the Mix partnered with Pacific Grill to serve sandwiches, salads and pasta.

Inside, visitors will find all sorts of accommodations, including free Wi-Fi, a pool table, darts and a jukebox. The bar also hosts many themed nights, including karaoke and Wii bowling.

Within the past month the bar has undergone major renovations, which included refinishing the bar, updating the lighting and creating more space for dancing. Leach said during the renovations, the community was extremely supportive, often volunteering to help with whatever projects needed to be done.

“We had at least 10 volunteers each day, all day long,” he said. “It was just amazing because the people feel a sense of ownership in this place.”

For these co-owners, building a business from the ground up has been a labor of love. Both carefully balance their day jobs - Brock teaches classes at Tacoma Community College and Highline Community College and Rouse teaches French at Puyallup High School - while pouring their blood, sweat and tears into making The Mix a place to be proud of.

Leach said the biggest lesson he has learned from being a business owner is their customers can often be their biggest resource.

“We’ve been really blessed with the people who come to our bar,” Leach said. “They are always offering to help in any way. It’s been very humbling and amazing.”

And what have they learned about the people of Tacoma?

“They are very generous. My business partner and I love being here. It’s been amazing to get so much support from community. They are kind of like family.”

The Mix is located at 635 St Helens Ave. in Tacoma. For more information call (253) 383-4327 or visit www. themixtacoma.com.