Is this diner returning to Olympia? Bakery to fill old Phoebe’s site, antiques mall forced to move
Rumor has it that Black Bear Diner is returning to Olympia to occupy the former Shari’s restaurant on Pacific Avenue near Fones Road.
Unfortunately, the business did not respond to a phone call or email from The Olympian seeking confirmation that it plans to open a restaurant here. However, it does appear the business was looking to hire a general manager in Olympia, according to LinkedIn, the employee and business networking website.
Depending how long you’ve been here, you might remember that Black Bear Diner had an eatery on the city’s west side. They occupied space on Black Lake Boulevard that was later filled by El Sarape, and is now a separate business called Charro.
That Black Bear Diner closed in November 2015 when the rent was hiked. But Black Bear still operates 161 diners in 13 states, including sites in Lakewood, Puyallup and Federal Way.
Most Shari’s locations have closed in the state due to financial challenges.
New bakery to fill vacancy in west Olympia
Phoebe’s Pastry Cafe closed its location at Division Street and Fourth Avenue West last March and now a new bakery is aiming to fill that spot, according to a GoFundMe campaign.
It’s called The Lovely and Dapper Bakery, said owners Emily and Drew Crain, who are known for running a mobile cake shop called Lovely Dapper Desserts.
“Our vision is to create an inclusive community space where everyone feels welcomed and at home,” the GoFundMe post reads. “We will of course be selling our Tin Can Cakes but we will also have a variety of delicious morning pastries, house-made granola parfaits, baguette sandwiches, coffee, tea and more. We also want to have a variety of local products for sale in the shop. Our goal is to bring all our amazing market friends along with us on our journey.”
They are aiming for a mid-March opening, according to the post.
But what happened to Phoebe’s? It’s still around, but it just has one location at 1800 Cooper Point Road SW, Building 13, in Olympia.
Owner Phoebe Martinson said Thursday she closed the Division Street location because she didn’t want to work so hard. “Life is much more manageable,” she said.
Grand opening for cafe set
Simply Organic Cafe & Catering’s newest location at the Southwest Washington Agricultural Business & Innovation Park in Tenino is having a grand opening on Friday, March 14.
The cafe has been serving the community since 2011, first in Yelm and later through catering, a food truck, meal kits, and more, according to a news release.
So what’s on the menu?
House-made salsa, signature burgers with house-made sauces, handcrafted pastries and desserts, including a gluten-free chocolate mousse cake, plus customer favorites such as the Goat Florentine and Rustic Italian sandwiches, the news release reads.
The grand opening weekend hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 14-16. The address is 16404 Old Highway 99 SE, Suite 101, Tenino.
Business forced to move
Lighthouse Antiques and Crafts Mall, a longtime tenant at 2921 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia, has to move, according to an announcement on Facebook.
“Hello dearest customers! The rumors are true. We have been told by the new owners of the building that we have to be out by March 30th,” the post reads. “We don’t have any answers at the moment but as we learn more we will pass the info along to you. We are looking for a space for us to move to! One of our vendor’s spouse is a commercial real estate agent and hopefully can find us something (with better parking!) Some of our vendors are having sales so please come help lighten our load to prepare to move. We love all our customers and hopefully can rebuild here in our community.”
New branch for Olympia Federal Savings
Olympia Federal Savings & Loan Association plans to open a branch of the thrift at 535 North Market Boulevard in Chehalis, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Any person wishing to comment on the application can send them to the regional director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at the San Francisco Regional Office, 25 Jessie Street at Ecker Square, Suite 2300, San Francisco, CA. 94105-2780.
The comment period ends March 20.
Wine update
Grand Vin Wine Merchants USA has announced that it has entered negotiations to be sold by April 30, according to an email sent to customers on March 4 and shared with The Olympian. The business is based in Tumwater.
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 March 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Is this diner returning to Olympia? Bakery to fill old Phoebe’s site, antiques mall forced to move."
