The dancing, drag shows and hot dogs are returning to Fourth Avenue. Here’s the plan
Jake’s on 4th, a downtown Olympia nightclub that closed around the time of the pandemic, is set to return under the same name and in the same location, new owner Andrea Pareigis, known to many as “Dryte,” told The Olympian this week.
“I’m excited to be part of bringing something back that we all missed,” she said.
Pareigis, a longtime bartender, including 14 years spent at the nearby China Clipper, is aiming for a late June opening, or around the time that Capital City Pride typically takes place in Olympia, she said.
“We’re keeping the name, keeping it as a dance space, and bringing back the drag shows and strip nights that it used to have,” she said.
The street-facing hot dog booth also is coming back, but so, too, is a new item: Chicago Italian beef sandwiches.
Pareigis has always thought that she might become a business owner one day, only to have that goal sidelined by COVID-19. Her path to Jake’s is a “long, weird story” she acknowledged, but it happened.
“The opportunity was there, so we grabbed it,” she said.
Pareigis and her partners bought the building and were given the OK to use the Jake’s on 4th name. She also envisions opening a craft cocktail destination on the second floor.
She wants Jake’s to be an inclusive and open space for everybody.
“Community is really important to me,” she said.
Recognize Pareigis’ name? Years ago she worked at the Urban Onion — where a restaurant called El Sitio is today — and she also has served on the Olympia Heritage Commission.
“I’m an Oly kid through and through,” she said.
Campers Coffee moves
Campers Coffee has moved its roasting business and cafe from Rich Road to 6700 Martin Way E., CEO and director Jonathan Nalywaiko announced this week.
The move almost triples his space, increasing it to 2,800 square feet from 1,000 square feet, giving him more space for the business, as well as for a catering truck, trailer and coffee cart, he said.
His business has been in the Olympia area since February 2021. He also operates City Campers, which uses an old ambulance to deliver hygiene products, clothes, coffee and water to those living on the streets.
The cafe is open 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. His new location is across from the appliance business McKinney’s and next door to Tacoma Screw.
A grand opening for the new location is set for 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26. The ribbon cutting is at noon.
Wilcox Farms exploring expansion into Thurston County
Wilcox Farms, a Roy-based eggs producer, is looking at expanding the business into Thurston County, according to a pre-submission conference scheduled for county officials May 1.
A pre-submission conference provides developers and business owners with an opportunity to learn more about what local government will expect of their projects should they move forward.
“Wilcox Farms is considering a 450-acre purchase in Thurston County for chickens at the end of 128th Ave. SE, all of which lies between the Nisqually River and Bald Hill Road,” the project description reads.
“There are several existing structures on site,” the description reads. “The main structures are three barns and one home for the full-time farm manager. The farm is currently a beef cattle operation. There are several wells on site, one for the existing residence and barns and several for irrigation purposes. Over the coming years, we intend to construct eight barns which will house approximately 20,000 chickens.”
They add that those chickens would be in a “cage free, organic environment.”
Warehouses to be pitched
At the same May 1 pre-submission conference, county officials also will hear a proposal to build three warehouses, all larger than 110,000 square feet, near 19246 Guava St. SW, Rochester.
People news
Cheryl Cornwell is the new chief financial officer of Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, the hospital announced.
She has worked as a CFO for more than 14 years, according to a news release.
“Cheryl brings deep expertise in rural health care finance and a passion for community-centered leadership,” the release reads.
Cornwell earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Central Washington University in Ellensburg and her MBA from City University.
“We’re thrilled to have Cheryl join our leadership team,” said Josh Martin, CEO of Summit Pacific, in a statement. “Her knowledge of rural health care finance and her heart for servant leadership aligns beautifully with our mission. Cheryl’s experience and values will help guide Summit Pacific as we continue to innovate and expand access to high-quality care in our community.”
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 April 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
