New place for tacos opens in Olympia, and wolf fundraiser has a new location
A new Tex-Mex restaurant called Hector’s Tacos on Fourth Avenue East in Olympia has opened, the owners shared in a message to The Olympian
The business opened on Monday.
“Limited hours to start, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., so we cover breakfast and lunch daily,” the message reads. “Once we have our liquor license will be open for dinner as well! Stay tuned for that.”
Hector’s is at the corner of Fourth Avenue East and Central Street in Olympia.
What is Tex-Mex?
“A term coined in the 1960s, Tex-Mex is a recognized regional American cuisine that originated from the culinary creations of Tejano people — Texans of Mexican heritage,” the restaurant’s website reads. “This hybrid food culture blends Mexican cooking techniques with American Southwest ingredients and flavors.”
Wolf Haven fundraiser has new location
The nonprofit Wolf Haven International, which operates a wolf sanctuary and education center in Tenino, has shifted its annual fundraiser, Wolves & Wine, to a new location this year, the organization announced.
Previously held at Saint Martin’s University, it will now take place 5-9 p.m. March 14 at Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound.
“When searching for a larger venue, we were delighted with Great Wolf Lodge. They have the capacity we need, delicious food, beautifully displayed wolf art and décor, and a convenient location by exit 88 in Ground Mound,” said Executive Director Geoff Willard in a statement.
The fundraiser will provide updates on the organization’s Washington and Montana sanctuaries, show never-before-seen wolf footage, and lay out the vision Wolf Haven has for the future, according to a news release.
Dr. Diane Boyd, a wildlife biologist, wolf researcher, and author of a new memoir, “A Woman Among Wolves,” is the keynote speaker, the release reads.
For ticket information, go to wolfhaven.org/events.
Bottega picks up steam
The owner of Bottega, a forthcoming Italian restaurant in Lacey, recently told The Olympian the business was moving forward again after a delay.
Well, owner Rick Nelsen wasn’t kidding because the walls are taking shape at the Huntamer Park location in time for a mid-April opening.
Nelsen is best known for starting and running the steakhouse Ricardo’s for 18 years. He sold that business about three years ago (it’s still in operation under a different owner) and thought he would retire.
“I just kind of started getting bored at home and people kept asking me to do something else,” he said.
The focus at Bottega will be on dinners, although he does have plans for a walk-up window on the park side of the business where he can offer sandwiches, pizza by the slice and salads.
“It’s a very open floor plan,” he said about the design of the restaurant. “The intent with that was to keep me and my brain active and in the kitchen. I like to run my operations from the kitchen, but I’ve got to be able to see what’s going on.”
McMenamins will celebrate National Tater Tot Day
National Tater Tot Day is Feb. 2, which means that pub and restaurant operator McMenamins, is offering happy hour pricing on its Cajun tots on that day, all day, the business announced.
In Olympia, McMemamins is the longtime owner of the Spar Cafe on Fourth Avenue East.
“There’s also happy hour prices on well drinks made with McMenamins Spar Vodka (because vodka comes from potatoes, too!) and a themed cocktail special: The Catahoula Hound (Spar Vodka, fresh grapefruit, Cajun-spiced rim),” a news release reads.
Thurston County recognized for excellence in investing
Thurston County has been recognized by the Washington Public Treasurer’s Association (WPTA) for excellence in its approach to investing the public funds under its care, the county announced.
The Thurston County Treasurer’s Office acts as the bank and investment manager for the county government and dozens of other public entities in the county, including Intercity Transit, the Port of Olympia, the Public Utility District, fire districts and nearly every local school, a release reads.
Together they make up the Thurston County Investment Pool, according to the county.
The WPTA cited three best-practices at the Treasurer’s Office: preserving the principle, maintaining liquidity and focusing on safe investments that also have a high yield.
“We are incredibly conservative,” said Thurston County Treasurer Jeff Gadman in a statement. “We never invest in volatile assets like stocks or crypto currency. We stick to secure investments such as federal agency, U.S. Treasury and municipal bonds, so that when a school district needs a new classroom or the Board of County Commissioners finds a rare deal on a downtown property, the money is there, safe and certain.”
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 January 23, 2026 at 5:15 AM.
