Chick-fil-A is exploring a new location in west Olympia on Capital Mall property
Chick-fil-A, a fast-food restaurant chain known for its chicken sandwiches, is exploring a new location in west Olympia, according to city of Olympia information.
The business proposes to build a nearly 5,000-square-foot restaurant with a double drive-thru at 2930 Capital Mall Drive SW.
The city information also shows that the existing structure on the site — Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse — would be demolished.
Fujiyama owner Charlie Kang said late Tuesday that he was not aware of the proposal and added that he thinks he has about two years left on his lease. Despite the proposal, Fujiyama is still open for business. The restaurant is open 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.
If the project moves forward, it would become the second Chick-fil-A in Thurston County and the first in Olympia. The Atlanta-based chain opened a restaurant in Lacey in September 2020, just off Marvin Road near the northbound ramp to I-5.
There are some similarities between the two projects.
In Lacey, a long-established restaurant, the Hawks Prairie Restaurant and Sports Bar, was demolished to make way for the Chick-fil-A and a new Taco Bell.
The Olympia proposal says there will be 82 parking spaces, as well as four short-term bicycle parking spaces and two long-term bike spaces.
Representatives of Chick-fil-A are set to meet with the city’s site plan review committee on June 1.
Olympia Community Planning and Development Director Leonard Bauer said late Tuesday that meeting with the site plan review committee gives developers a chance to kick the tires and learn more about what the city will require as part of the development process.
The general manager of Capital Mall could not be reached Tuesday.
This story was originally published May 24, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
