Sub sandwich biz eyes expansion, new businesses pitched in Lacey and Tumwater, plus a new hire
It might be one of the best kept secrets in Thurston County.
Canna Cabana Subs & Shakes, which turns 10 in April, has two locations in Lacey and is considering a third site in Yelm, said co-owner Sam Aguirre, who opened the first location in Hawks Prairie at 193 Marvin Road SE.
Aguirre originally worked in the medical marijuana industry, but decided to take a pass on the recreational side of things and instead opened a marijuana-themed sub sandwich business that sells only food, not pot products, he said.
“I was just thinking about what I can do different than every other sandwich shop,” Aguirre said. “So we put a whole menu together with just like the most insane, crazy sandwiches, yeah? And then just kind of went with it. After a couple of years, it caught on and we’ve just been doing our thing.”
For example, he sells a sub called the “super dank,” which also happens to be his best-selling sandwich. Key ingredients include turkey, bacon, ham and crushed Doritos, including different flavors of the chip, such as Cool Ranch.
“It’s never been outsold,” he said.
How about the most popular milkshake?
It’s the house shake, Aguirre said. It has chocolate, peanut butter, Oreo cookies and caramel mixed with hand-scooped ice cream. A close second is the Fruity Pebbles shake, he said.
“Your favorite childhood cereal made into one of our most popular milk shakes,” the menu reads.
The Marvin Road location is a double drive-through that measures about 300 square feet. He then opened a 1,200-square-foot location at 4660 Whitman Lane Southeast, off Yelm Highway at College Street. It offers in-person dining.
The business has 10 employees, including his wife, Alexis, and his mother, Lisette, who recently became a partner, he said.
Both locations of Canna Cabana are open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Stay tuned for information on the Yelm site.
New businesses pitched in Lacey and Tumwater
Before the end of 2024, several businesses met with Lacey and Tumwater officials in presubmission hearings to explore what would be expected of their proposed projects, according to city information.
A tire shop and credit union could be coming to Lacey.
Purcell Tires is exploring a tire and tire storage business at 2911 Marvin Road NE, while an unidentified two-story credit union with three drive-through lanes is looking at 2545 Marvin Road NE.
In Tumwater, Southern Tire Mart is exploring a 10,000-square-foot truck maintenance site at the Pilot Travel Center at 2430 93rd Ave. SW.
Reid rejoins Port of Olympia
Mike Reid, who most recently has been economic development director for the city of Olympia, has rejoined the Port of Olympia in a similar role.
Reid, who started Jan. 8, is now the community and economic development director for the port. He also was a recent finalist to be executive director. Reid spent seven years working for the city.
“I am beyond grateful to once again be a part of the port, an organization I have always loved and been passionate about,” he said in a statement. “I truly feel fortunate to be in a position where the timing and opportunity align with my experience and skill set.”
Before joining the city, Reid spent 10 years with the port. Beginning in 2007, he was the property development manager and later was promoted to business development senior manager.
Miller is new board president at EDC
Lacey Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller is the new board president at the Thurston Economic Development Council.
Miller took over Jan. 1, replacing former board president Mark Steepy, Miller said in a letter distributed via the EDC’s weekly digest newsletter.
“Our programs are fully developed to recruit new investment and employers into Thurston County, to retain the businesses operating and employing here, and to expand market opportunities for our region,” Miller writes.
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New lease for Rutledge Family Farm
Rutledge Corn Maze LLC, also known as Rutledge Family Farm, has a new lease with the Port of Olympia for its property off 93rd Avenue Southeast, according to port materials for the Jan. 13 commission meeting.
The commission approved the lease as part of the consent agenda.
“The new lease presented for action provides the tenant with the opportunity to continue their agricultural operations while finalizing business arrangements while also allowing the port to secure a new one-year lease,” the agenda reads.
The lease converts to month-to-month after Dec. 31, 2025.
“Allowing the lease to continue on a month-to-month basis, after the one-year period, provides flexibility should the tenant require more planning without requiring additional administrative action,” the agenda reads. “Both parties desire to enter a long-term lease as soon as practical and will bring a new lease before the commission at that time.”
Lacey MakerSpace wins award
Lacey MakerSpace and the partnership that created it have won a 2024 Smart Partnership award from the Governor’s Smart Communities award program.
“A joint endeavor between the city of Lacey, Saint Martin’s University and the Thurston County Economic Development Council, the Lacey MakerSpace provides community access to high-tech equipment, education and workforce training,” a news release reads.
The Governor’s Smart Communities awards recognize local governments and their partners for exceptional land use planning and development.
Heritage Distilling now accepting Bitcoin
Gig Harbor-based Heritage Distilling Holding Co., which also operates a distillery and tasting room in the Tumwater Craft District, has announced a bitcoin treasury policy.
The policy allows the publicly traded distiller to accept bitcoin as a form of payment on its e-commerce platform and to acquire and hold bitcoin as a strategic asset.
“This follows the recent formation of the board’s Technology and Cryptocurrency Committee chaired by Matt Swann,” a news release reads.
What is bitcoin? Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency (a virtual currency) designed to act as money and a form of payment outside the control of any one person, group, or entity, according to Investopedia.
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.
