After years as a fixture in downtown Olympia at 212 Fourth Ave. E., King Solomon’s Reef Cafe and Lounge has closed.
Steve Bloom
sbloom@theolympian.com
King Solomon’s Reef Cafe and Lounge, a business that has occupied a central spot in downtown Olympia for years, has closed, according to a Facebook post.
It appears the Fourth Avenue diner closed in early July. The owners, Justin and Lindy McIntyre, could not be reached, but they did post a farewell video on their Facebook page.
“We have had to officially close the Reef down,” an emotional Justin McIntyre says in the video. “The climb against it just got too steep and we went into a slide that was unrecoverable. I want to say thank you first of all to everybody for supporting us. We don’t take this decision lightly. You have been a great customer base and we look forward to seeing you guys in the regular world.”
He also disclosed during the video that he contracted COVID-19.
The specific challenges the restaurant faced were not disclosed in the video, although it’s clear the pandemic did not help. A link on their Facebook page leads visitors to a GoFundMe campaign, seeking to raise money for employees.
“The crew at King Solomon’s Reef has been hit hard by the restaurant/bar closure necessitated by COVID-19,” the site reads. It shows that donors raised $11,964 toward a $15,000 goal.
On the first day of their COVID-19 era food pick-up service April 6, 2020, King Solomon’s Reef Cafe and Lounge owner Lindy McIntyre finishes a mike shake order for an 18 year-old’s birthday celebration. Steve Bloom sbloom@theolympian.com
Other business happenings
A commercial development of about 8,500 square feet, consisting of a fuel station, convenience store and a drive-thru coffee shop, has been proposed near Lacey at 7323 Pacific Ave. SE, according to Thurston County information. The project is in Lacey’s urban growth area and is zoned neighborhood commercial.
Also, the city of Lacey has received a site plan review proposal for the Landing at Hawks Prairie, an existing commercial development at Galaxy Drive Northeast and Martin Way East.
A developer is proposing a 3,800-square-foot commercial building at 1120 Galaxy Drive NE. It does not have a tenant, according to city information.
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.
Rolf has worked at The Olympian since August 2005. He covers breaking news, the city of Lacey and business for the paper. Rolf graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1990.Support my work with a digital subscription
