Hotel closer to becoming apartments, Bread Peddler makes a change, donut biz expands
The Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake, perhaps best known as a former Red Lion on the city’s west side, is a step closer to becoming apartments.
The Olympia Hearings Examiner has recommended that the city council approve an amendment that would allow housing in that area of the city, known as the Evergreen Park Planned Unit Development. The amendment was sought by Portland-area architect Philip Stewart, who is working on behalf of the hotel owner.
The recommendation will come before Olympia City Council after a 21-day appeal period has expired or after appeals are heard, according to the city.
The Evergreen Park PUD was established in 1973 and includes the Thurston County Courthouse complex, as well as other legal, medical and government offices, plus the hotel.
However, there is residential development near the PUD.
“The net result is that the PUD provides for a broad array of public, commercial and residential uses, but does not allow a mixing of these uses within the same areas of the PUD, and there is no portion of the PUD where commercial and residential uses are jointly allowed,” the hearings examiner ruling reads.
Other business happenings
The Bread Peddler, a well-known French bakery in downtown Olympia, has stopped serving breakfast and lunch meals, the business announced on Facebook this month.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the stopping of our breakfast and lunch service ‘made to order food,’” the post reads. “Over the years, the support of the Olympia community and beyond has meant the world to us. We never grow tired of our many expansions and our adventures and we value the opportunity to share it with you all.
“Stay tuned as we evolve into exciting avenues, as we come up with a new way of providing savory offerings. Our passion for making the finest breads and pastries is still our pride and joy,” the bakery posted.
The Kawaii Donut House, which has been operating as a pop-up business, is expanding to the Olympia Farmers Market, the Thurston Economic Development Council reported in its newsletter.
Owner Tiffany Lin moved to the U.S. from Taiwan in 2000 and has turned her dream of opening a dessert shop into reality, EDC officials write.
Lin is a longtime user of EDC resources. Lin took advantage of the Target Zone Small Business Startup Grants, which were made available through the U.S. Department of Treasury under the American Rescue Plan Act and funded through Thurston County, according to the EDC.
Meanwhile, a developer is exploring a plan to convert a Lacey office building into 43 studio apartments at 420 Golf Club Road SE, according to city of Lacey information.
The yellow building, which currently is fenced off, is behind Paulson’s, which sells off-road vehicles on Sixth Avenue.
“The existing parking lot will remain and the frontage will be revised to meet the city of Lacey municipal code,” the developer’s pre-submission information reads.
Bank earnings
Downtown Olympia’s Washington Business Bank reported a fourth-quarter profit that was 6% higher than the same period a year ago, the bank announced.
The bank’s quarterly profit rose 6.2% to $437,723 from the fourth quarter of 2022.
The bank reported a 2023 profit of $1.57 million in full-year earnings, compared to $1.17 million in 2022, a 34% percent increase.
Washington Business Bank stock trades under the ticker symbol WBZB on the OTC Marketplace.
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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.
