Dog collar biz opens space downtown, lounge reopens, Olympia apartments sell for $21M
Classic Hound Collar Co. has been in business for more than 15 years, its owner, Ellen Greenaway, said this week.
The online dog collar business got its start in upstate New York, then moved to Maine and for the past seven years has been based in Olympia. But in June, the business made a more public appearance after it opened a production and meeting space on Fourth Avenue in downtown Olympia for its area seamstresses.
They are sharing space with Arbutus Folk School, she said, and their presence was recently announced in an Arbutus newsletter.
Greenaway, who grew up in Canby, Oregon, said Olympia became the new headquarters for the business after her husband’s job brought them to the area.
Classic Hound sells dog collars, harnesses, leashes, dog-walking bags and items for special occasions, including bow ties, such as for weddings. The business also produces customized orders.
“Dogs are family members and people really like to include them in all these events from weddings to special occasions,” Greenaway said. “We’re here for it.”
Greenaway isn’t ready to open her own store just yet, but she would like to sell her products in area stores. Her products are carried in stores in other parts of the country and abroad, but not locally, she said.
Over the years, some have suggested that Greenaway produce her products abroad as well, but she refuses to do that, wanting to keep an eye on quality control and to help out families who need the work.
Classic Hound feels the quality of its products is just as important for the dog.
“Classic Hound specializes in satin-lined collars to protect your dog’s neck from chafing and hair loss,” the website reads.
The business is hiring, Greenaway said. Classic Hound is looking for part-time seamstresses, according to its Facebook page.
Other business happenings
Le Voyeur, a downtown Olympia cafe, lounge and music venue has reopened, the business announced on social media. The business reopened July 1 at 404 Fourth Ave. E., and its new hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays, according to its website.
A business called Cube Ramen and Asian Cuisine appears set to open in northeast Lacey at Marvin Road Northeast at Britton Parkway.
The operators of the Pilot Travel Center, a truck stop at 93rd Avenue Southwest and I-5 in Tumwater, are exploring an expansion, according to city of Tumwater information.
The business wants to add 1,100 square feet to the east side of the travel center, including interior and exterior remodeling.
Real estate transactions
Crescent Point, a 62-unit apartment community in Olympia, has been acquired for $21.25 million in a 1031 Exchange, according to the Mogharebi Group, a California-based commercial real estate company that represented the buyer in the off-market transaction. The business also has an office in Seattle.
A 1031 exchange is defined as a swap of one real estate investment property for another that allows capital gains taxes to be deferred.
“Crescent Point presented the buyer with an opportunity to replace a recently sold 56-unit apartment community in Vancouver, WA,” said Mogharebi broker Ryan Kidwell in a statement.
Crescent Point, which was built in 2020, is at 5600 Dunham Drive, near Yelm Highway at Wiggins Road Southeast.
The buyer was a San Francisco-based multifamily investment company whose portfolio includes assets in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, according to a news release.
Crescent Point was 100 percent leased at the close of the transaction.
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If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published July 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Dog collar biz opens space downtown, lounge reopens, Olympia apartments sell for $21M."
