Book store reopens, pet shop expands, and Lowe’s is opening a Lewis County facility
Orca Books, which for years was on Fourth Avenue in downtown Olympia, has reopened at its new location, 315 Fifth Ave. SE, the cooperatively owned book store announced.
The book store reopened Oct. 1, according to a news release.
The store is near Rainy Day Records and across the street from Annie’s Artist Flats. The store’s new hours are noon to 6 p.m. daily. The co-op is still offering curbside pickup for customers who feel more comfortable outside the store.
“The cooperative is proud to foster community education through the support of authors and artists, creating a friendly, open, and safe space for all — as well as allowing access to a diverse collection of new and used fiction and non-fiction books,” the shop’s news release reads.
Other business happenings
Mud Bay, the growing pet store business that began in Olympia, expects to reopen its remodeled Martin Way store in Lacey by Thanksgiving, chief merchandising officer Al Puntillo said.
The store at 8909 Martin Way E. has been closed about a month, he said, because Mud Bay was able to acquire space next door that will allow the Lacey location to expand by 2,000 square feet. About 1,200 square feet will be retail space; the remaining space will be devoted to in-house grooming for dogs, Puntillo said.
The in-house grooming was first introduced at Mud Bay’s west Olympia location at 2410 Harrison Ave. NW, but because the business was able to design the space, Mud Bay is introducing a new and improved version at the Lacey store.
Puntillo said Mud Bay spent three years developing its in-house grooming model.
Meanwhile, the Puget Sound Business Journal reports that Lowe’s Home Improvement has signed a lease for 1.2 million square feet at Benaroya Pacific Northwest Regional Logistics Center in Winlock in Lewis County.
It is the region’s largest industrial lease of 2020, the PSBJ reports.
The Lowe’s facility, the PSBJ reports, is being built about 25 miles south of a mammoth United Natural Food Inc. facility, which sold for $195 million. UNFI is Whole Foods Market’s primary supplier.
Lowe’s already has a 200,000-square-foot distribution center in Centralia, according to the PSBJ.
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 October 9, 2020 at 5:50 AM.
