Recent developments shaping downtown Olympia

The recent developments in downtown Olympia reflect a vibrant mix of projects, expansions, and openings. From restaurants to infrastructure, this list of curated articles provides insights into the changes transforming the area.

The owners of the Chicory restaurant are opening a new venture in the Market Flats building, which will serve various foods including fried chicken and beignets. Meanwhile, the city of Olympia plans a $14 million project to add bike lanes and reconfigure lanes from Capitol Way to Capitol Boulevard, enhancing transportation infrastructure.

A Tex-Mex restaurant, Hector’s Tacos, is set to open on Fourth Avenue. Additionally, work on The Gibson, a downtown building, will create 64 units of affordable housing.

A view of Capitol Way South from the pedestrian bridge near the Washington state Capitol Campus. By Steve Bloom

NO. 1: MAJOR PROJECT COMING TO CAPITOL WAY AND CAPITOL BOULEVARD. HERE’S THE PLAN

Olympia has a longtime plan to reconfigure the lanes on Capitol Way to Capitol Boulevard, from near the Capitol Campus to Tumwater. | Published October 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ty Vinson

The owners of downtown’s Chicory Restaurant have confirmed a new venture at 302 Capitol Way N. in the Market Flats apartment building. By Steve Bloom

NO. 2: 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. | Published November 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

The Red Lantern Asian Fusion restaurant has opened in downtown Olympia at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Columbia Street. Dec. 3, 2025 photo By Steve Bloom

NO. 3: NEW OLYMPIA CHICK-FIL-A OPENS, ASIAN FUSION SPOT DOWNTOWN, AND BRIDAL SHOP NEWS

Chick-fil-A opened its west Olympia location on Thursday, the business announced. | Published December 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

Work begins on The Gibson. By rboone@theolympian.com

NO. 4: WORK BEGINS ON DOWNTOWN BUILDING, PLUS PROVIDENCE ANNOUNCES UPDATE ON AIC IN LACEY

A downtown Olympia project known as The Gibson, which will turn a former office building into 64 units of affordable housing is underway, according to a check of the property. | Published December 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

The Governor Hotel, 621 Capitol Way S. By rboone@theolympian.com

NO. 5: WHAT’S HAPPENING TO DOWNTOWN HOTEL? PLUS, A NEW RESTAURANT IS COMING TO OLYMPIA

The Governor Hotel in downtown Olympia on Capitol Way across from Sylvester Park appears to have closed for a forthcoming renovation, according to a check of the property on Wednesday. | Published January 2, 2026 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.