Bakery and more coming to Steamboat Island, plus a new pitch for downtown Greyhound site
Red Velvet Bakery by the Sea, which previously served the Pacific Beach/Seabrook area on the Washington state coast, closed in 2021, said owner Trista Nesbit-Evans. But that doesn’t mean the business has gone away for good.
Nesbit-Evans has an expansion plan in mind that will reopen the bakery in 2,500 square feet in the Steamboat Island area, up from 1,000 square feet at its previous location. Nesbit-Evans is aiming to open the expanded bakery in December at 6541 Sexton Drive NW, Building D, Suites 102-103.
Besides wanting to expand, Nesbit-Evans also wants to be closer to her home and family in west Olympia. Before, she split her time between Olympia and the business on the coast.
If you were familiar with her former operation, some things won’t change: The cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, scones and the ham-and-swiss and chocolate croissants she used to make at the beach will be featured at the new spot. The business will be open for breakfast, lunch and brunch, so expect soups and sandwiches, as well as meals-to-go items such as green salads, pasta salads, macaroni and cheese, and lasagna, she said.
The overall effect she is trying to create is similar to Metropolitan Market, a chain of grocery stores largely in the Seattle area known for food to go.
Nesbit-Evans also has applied for a liquor license, wanting to sell beer, wine and spirits, as well as serve wine and beer on site, she said. She will continue to serve Batdorf & Bronson coffee, Nesbit-Evans said.
Other business happenings
A proposal to turn the former Greyhound bus station in downtown Olympia into a site for food trucks and beer will be heard by the city of Olympia’s site plan review committee on Nov. 8, according to city information.
The site plan review committee provides feedback to developers about city requirements before they take that next step. The former bus station is at 107 Seventh Ave. SE.
“The front side of garage I would like to keep it open the same as now and put food trucks in the covered portion of the open area,” the narrative description reads. “I would like to use the inside area next to the garage for seating and to provide and (sell) tap brews and beverages.”
According to city information, the applicant for the proposal is Homestreet Electric. The property owner is BEM Holding LLC.
Arbutus Folk School on Fourth Avenue in downtown Olympia, across from Olympia City Hall, is moving, the nonprofit announced on social media.
It isn’t moving far — one block east and across the street — but it needs a little help getting there.
“This is an exciting change, but it’s a big job for our small staff, and we’re on a tight timeline,” the announcement reads. “We must be out of our current space and into our new one this December. Community support is vital to making this move happen. Our goal is to raise $18,000 by November 30th to pay for moving costs and the expense of furnishing the new space with an updated wood shop, ceramics studio, fiber lab, and flexible event space.”
The new home is at 705 Fourth Ave. E., the same building that houses Courtyard Antiques.
Find more information about how to donate or become a volunteer on the Arbutus Facebook page.
Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. has refreshed its brand by releasing six newly re-designed coffee bags, the business announced.
The redesigned packaging is available across all of Olympia Coffee’s 12-ounce coffee offerings, including their evergreen signature coffees and rotating single-origin micro lots, a news release reads.
The brand refresh also will be extended to include retail shopping bags and large-format coffee bags, as well as across merchandise and online, according to the coffee roaster.
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 November 3, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Bakery and more coming to Steamboat Island, plus a new pitch for downtown Greyhound site."
