The Taradise Cafe in White Center will not reopen. Owned by Tara Eckman Scott since 2015, whose untimely death in July came as a shock to the entire White Center community, the cafe had seen some flooding in the basement two weeks prior. 

Tara had contracted Covid-19 earlier in the year and was thought to be recovering but then developed Parkinson's disease and blood clots that eventually took her life. 

It was thought that there was a possibility one of her sons would take charge and turn over day to day management duties to existing staff but the family reconsidered.

Tara's sister Tauna Jo Langridge made the announcment via a Facebook post on Monday, Aug, 23.

Hi everyone! On behalf of Tara’s entire family, we would like to sincerely thank you for the outpour of love, words of healing, and support you have sent us during these painful times. As we reflect on Tara’s memorial and the 500+ people who were present, the countless individuals who have sent kind messages, dropped off flowers, meals, and donated time and money, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every one of you.

After time to process and determine what is in the best interest of Tara’s sons, we have decided as a family not to reopen Taradise. This was a very difficult decision, as Taradise has been a community Tara worked so hard to build and a place where many loved ones found a safe space to share a warm meal and a drink. However, with so many factors at play and such uncertainty during this pandemic, it is the best decision to keep Taradise closed. Our hearts cannot bear the stress at this time. We have no doubt that the community and legacy Tara built will continue to live on through her boys and all of those she loved. We thank you for your care and understanding as we navigate these dark times, where tough decisions must be made.

For those of you who donated to the Taradise fund, please rest assured that all proceeds will be split equally amongst Tara’s three sons—DeAndre’, Baby Gee, and Zion—who are in different stages of their youth and early adulthood and are doing everything they can to move through life without their mom’s earthly guidance. Whether you donated money, time, food, flowers, or your heartfelt words, we will never forget how you have been there for us during this time.

We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for walking alongside us during this grief journey with so much grace. We appreciate you beyond words. "