Farm stand burglarized, Japanese retailer opens in Olympia and credit union parts ways with CEO
Jay’s Farm Stand, which has done business in west Olympia for 16 years, is still in business and doing OK after it was burglarized during the holidays.
The business at 4315 Harrison Ave. NW was closed Dec. 25, but reopened the following day. That’s when owner Eric Foshaug discovered he had been burglarized overnight.
The burglar had stolen about $100 in tips from a jar and $80 in change, but the more expensive costs were tied to the damage caused to get into the business, he said. Damages, including broken cash registers, were estimated to be about $1,000.
The suspect remains at large, Olympia Police Lt. Paul Lower said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 360-753-8300.
The farm stand opened in December 2008. Not only does it sell produce, but it also carries products made by Lattin’s Country Cider Mill & Farm, Johnson’s Smokehouse & Sausage and baked goods from Blue Heron Bakery. The business also sells its own guacamole, salsa and chips, and carries local beer and cider, Foshaug said.
Jay’s Farm Stand is open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Once daylight savings time returns, the business extends its closing time to 7 p.m., he said.
Daiso Olympia opens Saturday
Daiso, which already operates a store in Lacey, is having the grand opening of its west Olympia store on Saturday, Jan. 11, the business announced.
The store is at Cooper Point Marketplace, where Nordstrom Rack and Five Guys Burgers also are located.
The new Daiso store is 8,753 square feet and sells everything from Japanese-inspired home decor and kitchenware to beauty products, stationery and snacks.
The store is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Barber celebrates new location
The Shear Barber is holding a grand opening party for its new downtown Olympia location at 414 Fifth Ave. SW, the business announced on social media.
The party is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 30.
Indoor sports biz to open
An indoor baseball and softball facility called D-Bat appears to be putting the finishing touches on its new location in northeast Lacey, according to its Facebook page and comments made at the Jan. 7 Lacey City Council meeting.
The business describes itself as the “fastest growing Baseball & Softball Academy franchise in the US! 160+ locations nationwide.”
D-Bat Lacey was mentioned Tuesday by Wesley Nguyen, the city’s economic development coordinator, at the council meeting. He said the business is opening this year in 37,500 square feet of space at 7600 Evelyne Lane NE.
Drake no longer leader of Shelton credit union
Ryan Drake is out as president and chief executive of Our Community Credit Union, the Shelton-based credit union announced in a news release.
The board of directors, the release reads, made the thoughtful but difficult decision to part ways with him, it says.
“This decision reflects a shift in strategic goals and is not a result of any wrongdoing,” the release reads.
Drake had served a year in that role.
Bert Fisher, former president and CEO, has been appointed by the board as interim CEO. Stephanie Steen, the current Chief Operations Officer, will serve as interim president.
They will guide the organization while the board conducts a comprehensive search for a new president and CEO. The board will aim to define a hiring timeline by the end of the month, according to the release.
OURCU has grown to more than $600 million in assets and serves about 34,000 members. The credit union operates branches in Shelton, Union, McCleary, Elma, Montesano, Steamboat Square in Olympia and Vashon Island.
Medical clinic proposed for Rochester
A 12,296-square-foot medical clinic has been proposed for the Rochester area, according to Thurston County information.
The proposal will be heard at a presubmission conference on Jan. 23.
The proposed clinic does not have an address yet, but it is called the 196th Avenue medical office.
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 January 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
