New Olympia bar hopes to have 600-plus whiskeys. Work on historic building begins
Work is under way at the former Carnegie Library building in downtown Olympia, an effort that will transform the interior of the building into a restaurant, a members-only club and most important: a bar that could ultimately feature more than 600 whiskeys.
That’s according to Mike Michael, the owner. He is working with other partners to open what they call the Carnegie Whisky Library. In this case, “whisky” is spelled without the “e” because Scotch whisky is spelled that way. It’s also a nod to the Scottish-American Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist who built hundreds of libraries in his name throughout the country, including in Olympia.
The building was originally built in 1914, and Michael wants to retain the feel of that general period, he said. Windows, hardwood floors, bookshelves, radiators, fireplaces and even a dumb waiter that’s used between floors will be retained, he said.
An addition to the building, which was added in the 1960s, was removed this week. A two-floor building of about 3,000 square feet will take its place, he said. Part of it will be used for an elevator, he added.
The main building measures about 8,000 square feet. The restaurant and bar will be upstairs, while the Carnegie Whisky Club will open downstairs, a members-only destination that will feature a conference room, private lockers and a section of lockers that can be pushed open to reveal what Michael called a “speakeasy,” essentially a comfortable room to smoke a cigar and enjoy a whiskey.
The bar upstairs is expected to be 24-feet long and 16-feet high, which will require a sliding ladder, similar to one found in an old library, but instead of being used to reach for a book, the bartender will be reaching for a bottle of whiskey, Michael said.
The restaurant is expected to serve steak, seafood, soup and salads.
Although the restaurant and bar sound exclusive, he also wants people to stop by to get a hamburger and Coors Light.
“It’s not just whiskey, it’s something for everyone,” he said.
On that main floor, he also plans to park a 1924 Ford Model T, the kind of attraction he hopes customers take pictures of or pose in front of and then share on social media.
So when’s the big day?
Michael said he’s aiming for a mid-December opening.
Thurston County Commissioners uphold decision on BESS
The Board of Thurston County Commissioners has upheld the hearing examiner’s approval of a special use permit tied to a controversial battery energy storage system (BESS) proposed in Rochester.
“Having considered the record and arguments before the board, the board adopts and affirms the Hearing Examiner’s conclusions of law and decision on reconsideration,” the commissioners said in their ruling issued late Wednesday.
“The board finds that the Hearing Examiner made findings and conclusions based on the record before her and applied applicable law and therefore did not err in rendering any decision material to the issues raised by appellants.”
However, they agreed with the appellants and residents Brian and Tamara Haight that the timing of a hazard mitigation analysis and fire safety response plan should come before the BESS is built not after it.
“(A) proactive approach is necessary to ensure the public that the project design is informed by hazard mitigation and emergency plans, rather than the other way around,” the commissioners wrote. “Such plans are essential to addressing potential health and safety effects, impacting groundwater and air quality, in addition to obvious risk to life and property.”
If the appellants want to appeal the board’s decision, the next stop would be Thurston County Superior Court.
Hearing set for West Bay Yards
A public hearing before the Olympia Hearing Examiner is set for West Bay Yards, the controversial mixed-use development proposed for the shores of West Bay in Budd Inlet.
The hearing has been scheduled at two different times on June 8. The times are at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for those who want to testify after work, said Planning Director Nicole Floyd.
The hearing examiner will be hearing testimony on the city’s “recommendation of approval on the shoreline permit application,” as well as the appeal of the city’s environmental determination under the state Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
The city issued a determination of non-significance, meaning an environmental impact statement would not be required.
The SEPA appeal was filed by Oly Ecosystems.
The city made clear that testimony regarding the appeal will be limited to “only those specifically identified as witnesses.”
Residents can attend the hearing in-person at Olympia City Hall in council chambers, or online via this link.
Health insurance companies request average rate hike of more than 20%
Thirteen health insurance companies have requested an average rate change of 22.4% for Washington state’s 2027 individual health insurance market, the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner announced.
“I know the requested rate changes will be difficult for individuals and families,” said Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer in a statement. “We’re going to spend the next several months reviewing every assumption made by the insurers to make sure their requests are justified.”
More than 280,000 people in Washington state do not receive health insurance through their employer and must buy coverage from the individual market, according to a news release.
“Nearly 250,000 of them shopped through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange last year,” the release reads. “That figure was down 13% from 2025 after Congress failed to renew the Enhanced Advanced Premium Tax credits.”
Olympia Arts & Wellness open house set for Sunday
The Olympia Arts & Wellness building, which is home to the Olympia Dance Center and Ballet Northwest, has opened, and now you can see it during an open house.
The open house is set for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31.
Olympia Arts & Wellness is at 1110 Jefferson St. SE.
Comment period revised for Oak Tree Preserve
A determination under the state Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for the preliminary plat tied to Oak Tree Preserve, which was issued more than 10 years ago, has been amended.
And now the comment periods have changed.
The new deadlines:
- Notice of application comment period ends at 4 p.m. June 11.
- SEPA comment period ends at 4 p.m. June 11.
- SEPA appeal period ends at 4 p.m. June 18.
To comment, go to the Thurston County comment web page.
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.
