Waterfront hotel could be coming to Olympia and Chick-fil-A eyes another site
In the fall, the Port of Olympia sought development partners for a piece of property near Swantown Marina through a solicitation process, generating three responses.
The port heard from a spa and wellness operator, a group of consultants and Kalyan Hospitality, which would like to develop a hotel on the site. That proposal is set to be recommended to the port commission next week, said Mike Reid, the port’s community and economic development director, on Wednesday.
What does Kalyan see in Olympia? They already own the Doubletree by Hilton property on Capitol Way North downtown, said Reid.
“They feel strong about this market,” he said. “They feel good about Olympia and they want to reinvest and do another project.”
Their proposal, according to Reid, is a 120-room, major-brand hotel with a cafe, restaurant, rooftop bar, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a public plaza, plus they would provide space for the Swantown Marina offices to relocate. The parcel in question currently is occupied by boats for dry storage.
If developed, the dry storage would be relocated. And if the hotel project moves forward, it is not expected to open until 2030, Reid said.
One step in the process is for the port and Kalyan to enter into an exclusive negotiation period for about 180 days so that the two parties can iron out the financial aspects of the deal, including ground lease terms, Reid said. During that time, the property would be taken off the market, he said.
Some other details: it’s estimated that hotel construction will generate 120 jobs and after it opens 65-75 permanent jobs.
The hotel discussion is set to come before the port commission at its 4 p.m. Jan. 20 work session.
Another Chick-fil-A?
Chick-fil-A, the fast-food chicken sandwich business, which has locations in Lacey, west Olympia, as well as a forthcoming site on Martin Way East, is also coming to Yelm, said Mayor Joe DePinto.
DePinto mentioned the business during a gathering of elected leaders in Lacey for a Thurston County Chamber of Commerce event on Wednesday.
“We are obviously attracting some major retailers due to our growth,” he told the audience. “Chick-fil-A is coming in. That should be huge revenue for us.”
And it’s not just Chick-fil-A coming to town. The Nisqually Valley News also reports that Yelm is getting a Chipotle and Dutch Bros.
New massage business opens
Licensed massage therapist Cody Dieterle has opened Root & Restore Massage in west Olympia at 2415 Evergreen Park Dr. SW, Unit C4.
Dieterle shared details about his business in an email to The Olympian.
“Root & Restore offers personalized therapeutic massage for pain relief, injury recovery, and nervous system balance,” the email reads. “What distinguishes us is a philosophy of comprehensive care without nickel-and-diming clients, which means hot towels, aromatherapy, steaming eye masks, cupping, scalp and foot massage and any massage modality needed are all included at no extra charge.”
The business had its soft opening this month. A grand opening is set for Feb. 1.
“Clients are greeted by the sounds of the forest as they arrive — birdsong, rustling trees, and an atmosphere that helps the nervous system settle before the session even begins,” the email reads. “We’re also prioritizing accessibility with an ADA-compliant hydraulic table with adjustable breast support arriving February 1st.”
Downtown business is OK
Traditions, the longtime cafe and fair-trade gift store, is OK and still open for a business after a challenging day Jan. 9, said owner Jody Mackey.
On Jan. 9, the business experienced the following: a refrigerator caught on fire, a cabinet of glassware was knocked over, a water line was damaged as the refrigerator was being replaced, and then a car crashed into the side of the building, causing a tiny dent, Mackey said. The car also smashed an orca-themed, coin-operated children’s ride.
Despite all that, the business never closed. It served a big crowd and “we had a great night,” said Mackey.
Doggie daycare proposed
A doggie daycare proposal was set to be heard this week by Tumwater’s Development Review Committee, according to city information.
The doggie daycare has been proposed at 819 78th Ave. SW.
The Development Review Committee provides feedback to developers about what local government will expect of their projects should they move forward.
People news
Fatso’s Bar & Grill owner Brandon Weedon has been picked to fill the Tumwater City Council Position No. 1 seat left vacant by Leatta Dahlhoff after she was elected mayor.
Weedon was selected by the council from a pool of candidates after competing for the position during an application and interview process, a news release reads.
“The council was impressed with Brandon’s focus on people, the skills and talents he would bring to this work, and his business and recreation background,” said Mayor Dahlhoff in a statement.
Weedon is set to take the oath of office at 7 p.m. Jan. 20.
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.
