Downtown eatery close to opening, and storm-damaged biz asks for help

Glowies, a downtown Olympia restaurant that plans to serve breakfast sandwiches, coffee and other baked goods in the former New Moon Cafe space, is getting closer to its opening, according to an update posted to social media this week.

“Just installed the espresso machine!,” the post reads.

“We’re proud to be serving Herkimer Coffee from Seattle, WA. This week we’ll be dialing in shots, playing, and practicing in the shop — and if all goes well, we’ll be opening our doors next week!”

The owners are Tiernan Gillan and Lexie Castaneto.

Castaneto, originally from Thurston County, spent a decade in the restaurant business in Seattle. That’s where she met Gillan, who previously co-owned a coffee and gelato restaurant in Pike Place Market called Bottega Italiana. That business was sold in 2021, they took some time off, and now they are gearing up for Glowies.

Hot dog biz asks for help following storm damage

An Olympia area gourmet hot dog food cart called Jax’s Dogs has launched a Go Fund Me campaign after the business was damaged by a recent storm.

“While vending at a Halloween trick-or-treat market, there was a big storm that came through and blew down a couple of trees, killing one man and injuring many others,” owner Aaron Beadle writes. “I ran when I heard the tree cracking and was super fortunate to get away with my life. My hot dog cart, along with my equipment (canopy, tables, phone, P.O.S., and such), wasn’t so lucky. The tree came down right on top of my setup and crushed it.

“This is my full-time job, and I truly love what I do. I take pride in delivering a quality product at a fair price, delivering smiles one hot dog at a time,” the campaign post reads.

As of Thursday afternoon, the campaign had raised $1,520 of a $4,000 goal.

The tree fell at McKenna Park in Roy in south Pierce County, the News Tribune reported. It fell on six to eight booths, trapping five to seven people and killing one man, according to the report.

Six people were injured in total, including three people transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Two people were treated for milder injuries at the scene, the News Tribune reported. About 40 to 80 people were attending the celebration.

Beadle said Thursday that he has been open for about a year, and previously traveled to events or stores throughout the area. His menu features the Seattle Dog, with grilled onions and cream cheese, and the Oly Dog, with peanut butter, bacon and hot honey.

Sport Clips opens in Tumwater

Sport Clips Haircuts opened Thursday in Tumwater at 555 Trosper Road SW, Suite 102.

“We specialize in hair care for men and boys, and offer clients a sports-themed environment, including sports playing on flat TV screens at each of our cutting stations,” an email from the owner reads.

One of its signature haircut services is called the MVP.

“This MVP service includes a haircut followed by a shampooing scalp massage, two hot steam towels, conditioning treatment and a pressure point massage on the face,” the email reads.

Sport Clips is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

OBee Credit Union donates to food banks

O Bee Credit Union is donating $10,000 to local food banks, the credit union announced.

“This contribution aims to help bridge the gap caused by recent delays in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, ensuring that members of the community don’t go hungry during this critical time,” credit union officials said in a news release.

The funds will support the Thurston County Food Bank and Nourish Pierce County, which are seeing an increased demand for assistance, according to the news release.

“When we saw this urgent need for food assistance, we knew we had to step in and help,” said Andrew Downin, President and CEO of O Bee Credit Union, in a statement.

O Bee will continue fundraising efforts to support local food banks throughout November, according to the release.

Heritage Bank applies for new branch

Olympia-based Heritage Bank has applied to establish a new temporary branch in Spokane at 908 Howard, Suite 200, and a permanent branch location at 201 W. North River Drive, Suite 605, Spokane, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The new permanent location will be known as Heritage Bank’s Spokane commercial banking center and will open May 1, 2026, according to the FDIC.

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 November 14, 2025 at 2:00 AM.