Chicory owners confirm new venture, pet grooming biz expands, best bosses picked
The owners of the downtown Olympia restaurant Chicory, who announced in October that the business would close at the end of the year but who also said they had a new venture in mind, confirmed this week they are staying downtown and opening a new business at 302 Capitol Way N. in the Market Flats building.
Market Flats is a mixed-use development with apartments and ground-floor commercial space.
Co-owner Elise Landry confirmed the new business, but couldn’t speak at length about it just yet, she said. However, she added that it is expected to open early next year.
A check of the space shows it’s still under development, although a sign on the window describes it as “Gold Standard” and that it will serve the following foods: biscuits, sandwiches, fried chicken, farm-fresh veggies, cold beverages, baked goods and French pastries known as beignets.
Stay tuned, Chicory fans.
Amazon opens in Elma
Amazon has opened a 48,000-square-foot warehouse in Elma, Grays Harbor County, which is about 30 minutes west of Olympia, the company announced Thursday.
The warehouse, which Amazon described as a “delivery station,” processed more than 1,000 shipments on its first day, according to a news release.
“This expansion is part of Amazon’s $4 billion investment to enhance delivery speed and reliability in rural America,” the release reads. “The Elma location will significantly improve access to everyday essentials for communities located far from major retail centers.”
Oly Grooming Co. expands
Oly Grooming Co., a pet grooming salon and boutique that operates in west Olympia, has now opened a second store in East Olympia, the business announced.
The new location is at 6243 Rich Road SE, Suite B. A community event is planned for that location from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29.
“This event will have several local pet-related craft vendors, pet industry professionals and discounted shopping in our pet boutique,” owner Macy Morgan said in an email. “We will have a variety of fun activities and free coloring pages designed by local artists for kids.”
The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m.
“We will be offering half-price walk-in nail trims for cats, dogs and rabbits all day,” Morgan writes.
Did your boss win?
The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and Express Employment Professionals, two organizations that have been honoring local bosses for many years, recently announced the 2025 Boss of the Year honorees and honorable mentions.
As part of the selection process, students from Saint Martin’s University also interviewed the finalists. Nominations are solicited through the chamber website.
The honorees:
- Mike Christopherson, distribution manager, Uline, which operates a distribution center in northeast Lacey.
- Ron Thomas, president of Thomas Architecture Studios in downtown Olympia.
- Christopher T.L. Brown, principal and CEO of NorthStar Law Group in Tumwater.
The honorable mentions:
- Kim Nedrow of Balanced Being, a business in Olympia that offers a variety of therapy services.
- Eric Zabala of Zabala Insurance in Tumwater.
- Dena Withrow of Intercity Transit, Thurston County’s transit service.
The bosses will be celebrated at a Thurston Chamber forum at noon Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Saint Martin’s University’s Norman Worthington Center.
Downtown store gets a shoutout
Belleza Ropa Clothing & Shoes, a longtime women’s clothier in downtown Olympia at 101 Capitol Way N., has been recognized in a survey released by a business called Advance America.
The survey, based on responses from 3,002 shoppers, set out to identity “independent clothing stores most beloved for affordable winter fashion,” a news release reads.
About Belleza, the survey results showed: “The boutique emphasizes quality over trends, carrying brands that blend function and style.”
Owner of downtown toy store has written children’s book
The last time The Olympian wrote about the downtown toy store Captain Little a pickup truck had backed into the store and crashed through a window.
“This time the news is better!,” said owner Paul Shepherd in an email. “It only took me about five years, but I finally published a children’s chapter book, with lots of illustrations by Olympia Artist Robyn Chance.”
A reading of the book, Captain Little and the Great Toy Store Rescue, is set for noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.
Shepherd added that Captain Little is having its best year ever. He also owns the downtown business Compass Rose.
Land-use plans submitted for second marine terminal warehouse
The Port of Olympia has submitted its land-use plans for a second marine terminal warehouse that will measure 70,000 square feet, the city of Olympia’s Community Planning and Economic Development department announced.
The city often announces significant land-use applications that are in the public interest.
“The purpose of the proposed project is to provide additional longer-term covered/protective storage of commodities shipped to and from the port,” a project description reads.
Care to comment on this proposal? Send those comments to senior planner Jackson Ewing at jewing@ci.olympia.wa.us by 5 p.m. Dec. 9.
The Port of Olympia commission unanimously approved the second warehouse a year ago.
People news
Elissa Gertler, who was one of three finalists for the top job at the Thurston Regional Planning Council, has been named the new executive director.
She replaces Marc Daily and will start Dec. 5, the organization announced in a news release.
“This was a nationwide recruitment that resulted in a very competitive pool of applicants,” said council chairwoman Robin Vazquez in a statement. “Elissa rose to the top as a creative problem-solver, someone who has rural and urban planning experience as well as knowledge and skill in both land use and transportation policy.
Gertler has worked in housing, transportation, land use and community development with regional and local governments for more than 25 years, according to the release.
She was most recently the housing manager for Clatsop County, Oregon. Her work experience also includes time as director of planning, development, and research for Metro Regional Government in Portland. What is TRPC? It’s a 23-member council of local governments from throughout the county. TRPC offers broad representation for decisions on transportation, growth management and environmental quality.
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 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM.