Downtown Olympia’s ‘filling station’ has new owners. Here are their plans
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Ember Goods will open a new location at the Filling Station site.
- Menu may expand to include possible burritos and grab-and-go items.
- Menu may expand to include possible burritos and grab-and-go items.
The former downtown Olympia business Filling Station Espresso, which is on Fourth Avenue East at Plum Street, has new owners, but a very similar future, a co-owner of the business told The Olympian this month.
The business has four owners, including Jessica Terrel. They currently operate Ember Goods, the combination coffee shop and clothier at 422 Washington St. SE.
Now, they are working on opening Ember Goods at the Filling Station, she said. The site is being renovated, but could open as early this month, Terrel said.
“We’re really excited, because I know a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, are they going to get rid of it?’ But no, we did not want to do that at all,” she said.
The focus will be on serving coffee drinks with a more expansive menu beyond the pastries and baked goods offered at the store on Washington Street, which means possible burritos and other grab-and-go items.
Ember Goods first opened downtown in 2018. It roasts its own coffee and sells those coffee drinks and other beverages in a space that also includes a section of women’s, men’s, children’s and unisex clothing, she said.
“We carry plus-size, which is really hard to source,” Terrel said. “And then we also will sporadically have our own merchandise as well.”
Her husband, Nick, did all the woodwork for the store, she said. It has a Pacific Northwest vibe.
“We really just wanted a cozy space for creatives to come and meet up with their clients, or, you know, just a really safe space for people,” Terrel said.
What’s popular at Ember Goods? Try the honey cinnamon latte with a seasonal item, such as Girl Scout Cookies. You don’t need to buy a box of cookies, but can purchase a single cookie to go with that coffee drink, she said.
New vintage store downtown
Very close to the future Ember Goods at the Filling Station, shoppers will also find a new vintage store called Walrus and Kitten Vintage, which opened in February, owner Tera Roberts said.
The business sells a variety of vintage items, such as clothes, decor, jewelry, housewares and furniture.
Is she buying items for the store? No, but she will accept items she thinks she can sell in exchange for store credit.
How did she arrive at the name Walrus and Kitten?
The name comes from her daughter who years ago was asked what she would like to put on t-shirts to give as Christmas gifts.
Without hesitation, she said a walrus and kitten, Roberts said.
The business is at 712 Fourth Ave. E. It is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Downtown businesses, organizations benefit from local grants
The Olympia Downtown Alliance has touted the benefits of its LoveOly Microgrants program by releasing a list of those businesses and organizations that took advantage of them.
- Endless Sound Cellars enhanced the safety and ambiance of its 222 Market winery space by installing track lighting.
- Pizzeria La Gitana hosted a Flamenco Night.
- South Bay BBQ upgraded Trivia Night at The Pig Bar with new equipment, including a prize wheel and microphone.
- Plum Street YMCA installed an exterior mural celebrating wellness and diversity.
- Lolli Llama Candy Company created a Golden Ticket Candy Hunt, encouraging exploration of downtown businesses.
- Art Forces Peacemaker Gallery developed a street-level gallery annex in their foyer.
For more information about the LoveOly Microgrants program and the Spring 2026 cycle, go to: loveolydowntown.com/what-we-do.
.jpg "thumbnail_IMG_0850 (1).jpg")
People news
Lauren Lopp has been promoted to vice president of people and culture services and hired Jeremy Wiersma as the vice president of business lending, Washington State Employee’s Credit Union announced.
Lopp will oversee compensation and benefits, culture and diversity, administrative services and recruitment, among other duties, according to the credit union.
Lopp previously served as the director of diversity and culture with WSECU and has worked with the credit union for 18 years.
Wiersma will oversee commercial lending sales, commercial credit administration and commercial servicing and small business. He previously served as the vice president of business services at iQ Credit Union in Vancouver, Washington.
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.
