Coffee shop fills former Phoebe’s, pizza biz celebrates, Olympia OKs apartment complex
Forza Coffee Company has filled the former Phoebe’s Pastry Café in west Olympia at 1800 Cooper Point Road SW, the business announced.
“While the heart and soul of the café will remain, the new ownership is excited to build upon the strong foundation and legacy created by (Phoebe and Dan) Martinson,” a news release reads. “Fan favorites like the dinner pies, quiches, giant cookies and other house-made baked goods will return. A new cake decorator is also joining the team to expand and elevate the decorative cake offerings.
“The updated café will continue to focus on its beloved pastry program while promoting Forza Coffee not only as a cozy, welcoming coffeehouse but also as a bistro-style eatery with a full food menu. Several popular Forza menu items will make a comeback, and plans are underway to expand the dining area to offer more seating and an enhanced guest experience.”
Forza had its soft opening at the site on Aug. 8, but if you missed that, a grand opening celebration is set for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. The grand opening celebration will include live music, promotions and expanded menu offerings, according to the business.
A Coffee & Cars event is also set for Saturday, Sept. 6. The doors open at 7:30 a.m., but the event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will feature a live DJ, food vendors and a selection of coffees.
Farelli’s celebrates 30th anniversary
Farrelli’s Pizza, which got its start in Thurston County, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.
“The event brought together more than 1,200 guests, including team members, their families, business partners, and community friends, to honor three decades of hospitality, connection, and growth,” the business announced in a news release.
Founded in 1995 by John and Margaret Farrell, with their daughter and current CEO Jacque Farrell, the company has grown from a single restaurant in Lacey to 12 locations across Western Washington, employing more than 600 hospitality professionals, the release reads.
Farelli’s also has locations in Yelm, Hawks Prairie and Tumwater. The Lacey location is at 4870 Yelm Highway SE. Farelli’s expanded in Thurston County after it acquired Infernos Brick Oven Pizza.
People news
Peter Fluetsch, the founder and former owner of the Lacey-based heating, air conditioning and electrical business Sunset Air, has died, the business announced on Facebook. He was 88.
“Peter, along with his wife Kathy, began Sunset Air out of their garage on Tumwater Hill in 1976,” the post reads. “His visionary leadership enabled Sunset Air to grow into the business that it is today, 49 years later. He was a fierce businessman, but one who led with integrity, principles, and compassion.”
He also was proudly involved with Lacey Rotary, according to the post, and served on the board of directors at Heritage Bank, was on the original board of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts and was a longstanding board member for the Thurston Economic Development Council. He also served as mayor of Tumwater from 1990-1993, according to the post.
“Peter was a larger-than-life individual that we thought would live forever,” the post reads. “He was truly one of a kind. Peter will be sorely missed by the Fluetsch family, Sunset Air, and our entire community.”
A celebration of life is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey, 812 Bowker St. SE.
WSECU lands on Forbes’ list
Washington State Employees Credit Union has landed on the Forbes best-in-state credit unions list for 2025, the fifth straight year it has earned a place on the list, WSECU announced.
“Credit unions are such a powerful assets to the communities they serve and we are honored to be on the list for five years running,” said Ann Flannigan, vice president of public relations at WSECU, in a statement.
Forbes and another business, Statista, identified the list-worthy credit unions through an independent survey of approximately 26,000 U.S. consumers who were asked to rate financial institutions they know through experiences of friends and family.
City grants land use approval for apartments
The Fieldstone Apartments, a 15-building apartment complex proposed in west Olympia at 3909 Ninth Ave. SW, has received land-use approval, the city of Olympia announced. The city has also issued a mitigated determination of non-significance under the state Environmental Policy Act.
A total of 272 affordable multi-family residential units will be built, according to the city, as well as associated roadway, parking, storm detention, sewer, water and landscaping improvements.
Determination issued for battery energy storage system site
Thurston County has issued a mitigated determination of non-significance under the state Environmental Policy Act for a battery energy storage system (BESS) proposed in Rochester at 7505 183rd Ave. SW.
“The convergent energy BESS is a utility-grade energy storage system capable of supplementing the existing power grid and will be connected to Puget Sound Energy local grid via an approximately 1.2-mile overhead line spanning two new poles to the point of interconnection,” the county information reads. “The BESS is proposed to cover a footprint of approximately 16,000 square feet. Existing uses on the parcel will remain.”
To comment on this project, go to the county’s comment page.
This BESS proposal is separate from one that has been proposed closer to Bucoda.
Townhomes proposed
A developer has proposed the Cove at Long Lake, which seeks to build 63 townhomes to Lacey’s urban growth area at 2544 and 2602 Marvin Road SE, the Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development department announced.
“The applicant seeks approval for the redevelopment of three parcels to construct 63 townhome lots,” the county information reads. “The subject parcels total 6.69 acres and are zoned moderate density residential in the Lacey Urban Growth Area.”
To comment on this proposal, go to the county’s comment page.
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 August 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.