Update on major Olympia apartment project. Plus, Wingstop opens in Thurston Co.
You no longer have to drive to Lakewood if you want to try chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches served up by the business Wingstop, because a location has opened in Yelm at 937 W. Yelm Ave., Suite B.
The Olympian reached out to Wingstop about the location, but did not hear back. An employee at the Yelm location said the site opened toward the end of October.
Here’s what the company says about its business:
“What began as a small buffalo-style chicken wing restaurant in Garland, Texas, continues to soar to great heights. Today there are more than 2,500 restaurants open across the globe.
“Wingstop quickly became a fan favorite when we first opened our doors in 1994,” the company website reads. “Our proprietary recipes, outstanding food and superior customer service created a demand that could only be satisfied by more locations. And in 1997 we began offering franchises. Today we are one of the fastest-growing concepts in the country, attracting top entrepreneurs and operators with the drive and passion to own their own business.”
Environmental decision issued for West Bay Yards
The city of Olympia has issued an environmental decision under the state Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for West Bay Yards, a 478-unit mixed-use apartment project at 1210 West Bay Drive.
The city has issued what is called a determination of non-significance, meaning a more detailed environmental exploration of the proposal through an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required.
The decision is bound to be controversial because long before the SEPA determination was made an area environmental group previously appealed and sued over a development agreement tied to the project.
“The project includes ... approximately 22,000 square feet of commercial use such as a restaurant/café, an expanded waterfront trail and various public amenities,” city information reads. “Shoreline restoration project components includes placement of granular fill over the existing hard armored shoreline to create a naturally functioning intertidal beach.
“The next step for this project is for a public hearing to be scheduled for the Shoreline Substantial Development and Shoreline Conditional Use permits to be reviewed by the Hearing Examiner. This hearing has not yet been scheduled,” the city information reads.
Care to comment on this decision? Send those comments to project coordinator Nicole Floyd on or before 5 p.m. Feb. 10 to nfloyd@ci.olympia.wa.us.
The appeal deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 17. Floyd is also the contact if you have questions about the appeal process.
Little Creek Casino Resort has new CEO
Jef Bauer is the new CEO of Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, the Squaxin Island Tribe announced. The tribe owns the resort.
Bauer’s first day on the job will be Feb. 9, according to a news release.
“Mr. Bauer brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in gaming, hospitality, entertainment, and resort operations, including extensive work within tribal gaming enterprises,” the release reads. “He is widely recognized for leading complex operations and guiding large-scale development initiatives across competitive markets.”
Bauer most recently served as Assistant General Manager at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, according to the release. He was previously CEO of Augustine Casino in Coachella, California, and held senior executive leadership roles at prominent resort and casino properties, including MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa in Lake Tahoe.
“Jef Bauer is a proven leader with deep experience in gaming, hospitality, and tribal enterprise environments,” said Ray Peters, Chairman of the Little Creek Casino Resort oversight board, in a statement. “His track record of operational excellence, strategic growth, and respect for tribal values makes him exceptionally well suited to lead Little Creek Casino Resort into its next chapter.”
Peninsula Credit Union is Business of the Year
Shelton-based Peninsula Credit Union has been recognized as the Business of the Year by the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce.
The Peninsula Credit Union team accepted the award at the chamber’s recent gala event.
“We live in a time of turbulence politically and economically,” said Jim Morrell, CEO of Peninsula Credit Union, in his acceptance speech. “The team behind me represents our entire Peninsula Credit Union team that walk with people during financial celebrations and the times when it does not seem like there is a lot to celebrate — to help people improve credit scores, consolidate debt, to connect people to affordable financial services, and help people attain financial freedom.”
Want to be recognized as a green business?
The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications from area businesses who want to be recognized for environmentally friendly business practices, such as saving energy, reducing waste, conserving water and buying and selling green.
Thurston County businesses that take one or more of these actions can be recognized as a Thurston Green Business, according to the chamber.
Applications are open through Feb. 28. Apply online.
Don’t forget: Grand opening is this Sunday
Licensed massage therapist Cody Dieterle writes to remind readers that the grand opening of his massage business, Root & Restore Massage, is Feb. 1.
The business is at 2415 Evergreen Park Dr. SW, Unit C-4, in Olympia. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
What does he do?
“Root & Restore offers personalized therapeutic massage for pain relief, injury recovery, and nervous system balance,” he previously wrote. “Each session is customized to your unique needs, drawing from modalities such as Swedish, deep tissue, lymphatic drainage, gua sha, cupping, injury treatment, sports massage, and myofascial release.”
People news
Sean Agustin is the new Chief Experience Officer at DuPont-based America’s Credit Union.
“In his expanded role, he will lead enterprise experience strategy across operations, sales, marketing, and service delivery to support ACU’s growth and member focus,” a news release reads.
Agustin previously was Senior Vice President of Revenue and Commercial Operations at the credit union, where he led commercial lending, business services, and marketing, with direct responsibility for revenue growth and market expansion.
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 30, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
