Hector's Tacos launches in Olympia

Hector's Tacos has launched in Olympia, focusing on Tex-Mex cuisine. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, with plans to extend hours after obtaining a liquor license.

The Governor Hotel downtown will become a new Hampton Inn. Meanwhile, Bottega, an Italian restaurant, progresses toward opening in Lacey. Owner Rick Nelsen aims for a mid-April launch, and the site features a design with open garage-style doors.

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. 1: NEW OLYMPIA CHICK-FIL-A OPENS, ASIAN FUSION SPOT DOWNTOWN, AND BRIDAL SHOP NEWS

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

Chipotle Mexican Grill on Littlerock Road in Tumwater. By rboone@theolympian.com

NO. 2: POPULAR MEXICAN CHAIN OPENS NEW THURSTON COUNTY RESTAURANT. THEY’RE HIRING

Fans of Chipotle Mexican Grill will be happy to know that it has opened a location in Tumwater, the business announced. | Published December 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

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

NO. 3: 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. 4: 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. | Published January 2, 2026 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

A rendering of the future Hampton Inn by Hilton in downtown Olympia. By Innspace

NO. 5: OLYMPIA HOTEL PROJECT UNDERWAY. PLUS, WORK BEGINS ON ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN LACEY

The downtown Governor Hotel on Capitol Way is getting a makeover to become a Hampton Inn by Hilton. | Published January 9, 2026 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

Kalyan Hospitality is proposing a new hotel on this site near the Port of Olympia’s Swantown Marina. By rboone@theolympian.com

NO. 6: 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. | Published January 16, 2026 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

A car crashed into New Traditions Fair Trade about 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. By Olympia Police Department

NO. 7: BELOVED CHILDREN’S ORCA RIDE HIT WHEN DRIVER CRASHED INTO DOWNTOWN OLYMPIA STORE

A two-vehicle collision in a downtown intersection resulted in a driver crashing into a nearby business, according to Olympia police. | Published January 13, 2026 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

Hector’s Tacos is at 1502 Fourth Avenue E. By rboone@theolympian.com

NO. 8: 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. | Published January 23, 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.