A longtime Olympia restaurant closes and a downtown fixture gets new owners
The buffet restaurant Izzy’s, which for years has anchored the spot at Pacific Avenue and Lilly Road in Olympia, has closed, according to an emotional message and video posted on Facebook.
The owners, Will and Cheyenne Hayes, could not be reached, and a call to a corporate office in Utah was not returned.
“Well friends, we just wanted to post one more huge ‘Thank You!’ and goodbye to you all,” the Facebook message reads. “Our hearts hurt deeply. For the loss of the business. For the loss this represents for each of our employees. For the loss of our Izzy’s community.
“We have loved you, celebrated with you, cried with you, shared meals with you. We never saw this coming, and could not have conceived of it six months ago. You all will forever be in our hearts. Thank you for the years and years of support.
“As it stands today, corporate does not appear to be taking over this location after all. We had truly hoped and thought they would. We wanted Izzy’s to survive, even if it didn’t involve us. But most of this is out of our hands and it’s come time to step away and make sure our own family will be OK.”
New owners for Radiance
Eric and Travis Pollard are the new owners of Radiance Herbs & Massage, a longtime business on Fifth Avenue in downtown Olympia that they bought last fall. The two were chosen to be the new stewards of the business by the former owners, Travis Pollard said. They will continue to use the Radiance name.
But they have made some changes, he said. They painted the interior, upgraded the massage beds and are focused on making sure Radiance is inclusive, diverse and sustainable. Employees are paid a minimum of $15 per hour or more, and they are working toward offering health insurance to their 24 workers.
They intend to bring in more local art and other goods that are culturally appropriate, not culturally appropriated, he said.
Travis moved to Olympia from Portland six years ago, but Eric has had longtime ties to downtown — he worked as a stylist at Jamie Lee & Company on Fourth Avenue. The two also operate a business called Bead Opus in Centralia.
Radiance was considered “essential” by the state because it sells supplements, but it still closed until May 4 to protect employees and customers, Travis said. They offered curbside service during that period, but now are welcoming customers back to the store with safeguards in place. Sneeze guards are at every register and counter, customers are required to sanitize their hands and just eight customers are allowed in the store at one time.
They also ask that customers wear masks, including over the nose, Travis said.
For more about Radiance, go to: https://www.facebook.com/radianceherbsmassage/
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 September 4, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
