New restaurant is replacing Dockside Bistro in downtown Olympia
Downtown Olympia appears to be getting two new restaurants, according to a check of the properties this week.
An eagle-eyed reader noticed the fledgling businesses and asked The Olympian to make inquiries.
Here’s what we learned:
- The first business is called Vino Mar Bistro and has filled the former home of Dockside Bistro. It’s in the 500 block of Columbia Street, near Percival Landing. A sign in the window says “coming soon.” No one answered our knock on the door and contact information for the business wasn’t immediately available. Dockside Bistro closed last year.
- The other business, which currently is under renovation, is the former location of Fuji Japanese, which is at the corner of State Avenue and East Bay Drive. It wasn’t immediately clear if Fuji Japanese was being renovated or if a new business is to take its spot. The Olympian stopped by this week and spoke to two construction workers who referred the paper to the owner. Our call was not returned.
Stay tuned as we try to learn more about these local eateries.
Special use permit sought
Thurston County has received a special use permit request for the 5-year review of a mine, originally approved in 2005, according to notice of application information released by the county on Thursday.
The last 5-year review of the mine was conducted in 2021, and this application is to affirm the mining operation’s conformance with applicable Thurston County standards and project conditions, according to the county.
The property is approximately 746.56 acres in size and zoned R/120, which is one dwelling unit per 20 acres in a rural area. County documents don’t list an address, but a map filed with the application shows the property is near Maytown Road Southwest and Tilley Road Southwest.
To comment on this proposal, go to the Thurston County comment website and leave your comment by 4 p.m. June 9.
Olympia Arts & Wellness Building opens
The Olympia Arts & Wellness Building, a 24,000-square-foot space at 1110 Jefferson St. SE in Olympia, has opened, Ken and Josie Johnson announced this week.
They operate Olympia Dance Center, which was previously known as the Johansen School of Ballet and Johansen Olympia Dance Center.
Ken and Josie Johnson purchased the former state office building on Jefferson Street in September.
“Following renovation this winter, the building was transformed into a home for not only the Dance Center and the nonprofit performing company Ballet Northwest, but various other nonprofit arts organizations and wellness professionals,” a news release reads.
The space has four large dance studios, including a 2,700-square-foot studio named after the center’s founders Bud & Mary Johansen, according to the release.
“The dance facilities also include a large lobby and parent waiting area, changing areas, a costume shop, extensive storage area for costumes and props, and a large dancer lounge for the older dancers to stretch, do homework, socialize, and have a snack in between classes and rehearsals.
“Other highlights include a large conference room for all the tenants as well as an undercover parking area with 55 parking spots,” the release reads.
Timberland Regional Library names interim executive director
Timberland Regional Library has decided to stay in house by naming current library services director Andrea Heisel to be the interim executive director of the five-county library district, the Board of Trustees announced.
“As the interim executive director, Heisel will focus on strengthening budget development and financial tracking practices, expanding community outreach and public dialogue, fostering a healthy and accountable organizational culture, strengthening partnerships with Friends of the Library groups and other library advocates, and working closely with the board to communicate TRL priorities, initiatives, and goals in clear and accessible ways,” the announcement reads.
Heisel joined Timberland in 2017. She has served in multiple management and departmental leadership roles, helping guide major projects, operational improvements and strategic initiatives across the library system, according to the announcement.
The library district needed to find an interim leader after the recent resignation of former executive director Cheryl Heywood. Heywood resigned during a difficult budget process that included cost-cutting and layoffs, although many of those layoffs were later rescinded.
The district still intends to hire a permanent executive director.
Longtime commercial vacancy finally gets a tenant
A commercial building in the 4000 block of Pacific Avenue Southeast in Lacey, which faces a convenience store called Lucky 7, has finally landed its first tenant, according to a check of the property.
What’s moving in? It’s a business called Cosmo Prof, which describes itself as a “wholesale distributor of salon brands,” according to its website.
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.
