New thrift store opens in 18,000 square feet of space in downtown Olympia
Olympia Skoolie Thrift, a new thrift store, has opened downtown and filled 18,000 square feet of space at 415 Olympia Ave. NE.
It’s the second store – there’s also one in Tacoma – that feeds into the Skoolie Foundation, a foundation created to help those in need, said Junior Diaz, the chief operating officer of the thrift stores.
He was at the Olympia location this week along with Jennifer Wang, the coordinator of a Women’s Empowerment Center that also plans to open inside the space.
The stores help fund the foundation’s work with the homeless or to provide free meals or to donate furniture to those who need it if they can’t sell it, Diaz said.
“So somebody coming out of a domestic violence situation, somebody that’s coming off the streets after a long time, and finally getting into their first place, or a single mom with a couple of kids that can’t afford to furnish a home, but finally, getting into a home, that’s what we do,” said Diaz about who might receive furniture.
What can you find at the store? The aforementioned furniture, clothes, household items, books and more. Most items at the store cost $10 or less, according to pricing on display.
The store opened three months ago and operates 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Donations are accepted during those times, Diaz said.
What’s the women’s empowerment center?
“Fueled by the Skoolie Foundation, this space is being created as a resource, business, and education hub where women leaders and entrepreneurs can come together to support, mentor, connect, and grow,” said coordinator Wang in an email.
Its first event is set for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 21 at the Skoolie Thrift location.
“The evening will include live entertainment, food and drinks, raffles, and an inspiring panel of women speakers,” said Wang. “It’s going to be a powerful night centered around community, connection, and growth.”
For more about the store, go to the Olympia Skoolie Thrift website.
Olympia woman launches Tempo Sauna, a mobile sauna business
After her mother passed and a long divorce, small business owner Elisa Del Giudice turned to the stress relief provided by relaxing in a sauna. And when the pandemic hit, she built her own sauna at her home.
“Sauna saved my life,” she said. Now, she wants to bring sauna to the wider community by launching a mobile sauna business called Tempo Sauna.
To beef up her business acumen, she enrolled in Enterprise for Equity, a local nonprofit that focuses on turning low-income individuals into entrepreneurs. Besides gaining access to professional coaching, the experience also matched her values, Elisa said, adding that business shouldn’t just be about earning a profit, but also to nourish life.
That’s what she sees in Tempo Sauna, a way to build community care for Olympia and beyond, she said.
“I’m trying to create that time and space for people to connect to themselves,” said Elisa.
Working with a Steamboat Island sauna builder called Nükk Saunas, they produced a Finnish-style sauna that uses wood-fired heat to create a “hot” room. It also has a cooling room so that customers can rotate between the two spaces. It can accommodate 6-10 people, she said.
She envisions three markets for her sauna: overnight drop-offs at area residences, private group rentals and larger events, such as marathon races or weddings.
“Let’s slow down, reconnect and feel well together,” she said. “I call it ‘us care.’”
For more about Tempo Sauna, follow the business on Instagram.
Boys & Girls Clubs partner with Comcast to open ‘lift zones’
Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County have partnered with Comcast to open “Lift Zones” at its locations in Lacey, Tumwater, Rochester and Yelm, the organization announced.
What’s a lift zone?
It’s an area of the clubs that will provide free, high-speed internet access in safe, supportive environments, helping bridge the digital divide for club members and families across the South Puget Sound region, a news release reads.
Comcast has invested about $40,000 into the club locations.
At the Lacey branch, they’ve taken it a step farther with a content creation studio that has the following:
- Laptops and digital workstations.
- Audio/visual equipment: 4K cameras, podcast microphones, mixing console, sound system and professional studio lighting.
- Updated furnishings to create a functional and welcoming learning environment.
Homebuying expo Saturday, city announces
The city of Olympia and Thurston County Realtors Association are co-hosting a Homebuying Expo at the Olympia Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The center is at 222 Columbia St. NW.
There will be resource tables throughout the expo where residents can learn more about programs and information to help purchase a home, according to city information.
A Pathways to Homeownership Workshop will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
Can’t find Cut Rate Auto Parts? It’s moved
Cut Rate Auto Parts, which used to be at a Lacey location on College Street Southeast near Pacific Avenue, has moved, according to a check of the property.
The business is now at 3819 Pacific Ave. SE.
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.
