Extended stay hotel still planning for Lacey site, and Killer Burger eyes Oly location
A hotel group that tried two years ago to bring a new location to northeast Lacey is still in the game, according to city information.
Kalen Lacey Hotel LLC is again requesting approval for construction of a 136-room Residence Inn by Marriott, with approximately 115,655 gross square feet and 128 parking stalls, plus associated site improvements.
The site address is 2565 Marvin Rd NE.
The project was previously approved by the city, but the plan approval expired so they had to reapply, Lacey spokesman Ty Keltner said.
This isn’t the only hotel interested in the area.
A company called 111 Gateway Enterprises LLC wants to bring two Hilton brands — Homewood Suites and Tru — to 2315 Hogum Bay Road NE, which is near Marvin Road and across from the Mayan Mexican Restaurant in the area.
Killer Burger says they are coming to Olympia
Portland-based Killer Burger is opening six locations in Washington state over the next five years, according to South Sound Magazine.
Tacoma, Puyallup, and Olympia are among the Washington cities expected to get new Killer Burger locations, the magazine reports.
The deal for the six new locations was done with Cascade Dining, which owns and operates 26 Papa John’s franchises, according to the report.
Killer Burger also explored the Olympia market in 2021.
Shelton industrial park land
The Port of Shelton has received a $200,000 grant that will used on a parcel of land located northeast of Shelton but within the urban growth area, the Mason County Economic Development Council announced.
The state Department of Commerce industrial site readiness grant will fund wastewater engineering studies for development of the port’s roughly 400-acre Johns Prairie Industrial Park.
Students to help run visitors’ center
The Tumwater School District, Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce and the city have come together to revitalize the Tumwater Visitors Center.
“The Visitors Center will house the new Retail and Tourism program where students will gain valuable hands-on experience in customer service, sales/marketing, communication, product development, community outreach, destination knowledge, networking and entrepreneurship,” an Experience Olympia & Beyond news release says.
A grand opening is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, in the Tumwater Fred Meyer parking lot, 5304 Littlerock Road SW.
OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal and Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan plan to attend.
Credit Union shoutout
Washington State Employees Credit Union has been named a top credit union in Washington state, according to Forbes magazine and its Best-in-State credit unions list for 2024.
Forbes and a business called Statista produced the list based on a survey of about 26,000 U.S. consumers who were asked to rate financial institutions on customer service, the quality of the financial advice representatives offer, whether fees are transparent and reasonable, ease of navigating the company website, on-location branch services and the overall level of trust the companies inspired, according to a news release.
This year’s assessments also included online reviews and ratings between February 2021 and March 2024, accounting for 20% of the total scoring for each institution, according to the credit union.
Area businesses help
A number of area businesses have rallied to help the family of Carley Mendiola, an Olympia woman who recently died from leukemia. She leaves behind her husband, Jeff, and two special-needs children, according to Jeff Devlin, the man behind the Best of Olympia Facebook page.
About $5,000 has been raised, Devlin said.
Some of the businesses that have pitched in to help: Guild Mortgage Lacey, Cove, Blue Summit Realty; Scott McKinney, the owner of Pints and Quarts, Pints Dog House and Pints Barn; Johnson’s Smokehouse & Sausage; Nicole’s Bar; Best of Olympia; Meater; Mannkitchen; and Recteq.
Mendiola also was the focus of a Go Fund Me campaign earlier this year.
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 August 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Extended stay hotel still planning for Lacey site, and Killer Burger eyes Oly location."
