Downtown gets new restaurant and new bakery, but another restaurant is set to close
Downtown Olympia is welcoming two new businesses and saying goodbye to a third.
The first new business is The Leaning Maple, a restaurant specializing in waffles and acai bowls that opened June 12 at 111 Washington St. NE.
It is very much a family affair. Owner Becky Slosson is running the business with her adult children Cody, Kate and Nate, as well as their significant others.
Slosson, a licensed mental health counselor, initially had considered the downtown space for a wellness center, but then was inspired by other family members’ dreams. Her grandfather had long wanted to open a soda shop, her father a “Cheers”-type bar, so she decided to do a restaurant.
“They were never able to do those things,” she said.
The name was inspired by an actual leaning maple that occupies property in Boston Harbor that has ties to the Slosson family. A Lord of the Rings-type map of that property, which shows key landmarks, including the maple, is now part of the restaurant’s decor, she said.
In addition to waffles and acai bowls, they also are serving coffee, beer, wine and mimosas. What’s popular so far? The banana nut waffle and the pulled pork waffle, Slosson said.
In time they want the restaurant to be more than just food and drink, she said. There’s a baby grand piano for music, plus they are considering space for local artists. Other ideas: date nights, game nights, trivia nights and special performances.
Above all, she wants the restaurant to be a cozy, comfortable and warm space.
The Leaning Maple is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The Friday and Saturday hours might be expanded, she said.
Elsewhere downtown, the owners of Briggs Taphouse and the Oly Taproom have opened a wholesale bakery on Fourth Avenue called Frenchie’s on 4th, they announced on Facebook.
They were previously producing all their sourdough bread at Briggs Taphouse for both Briggs and Oly Taproom.
“So here we are, now opening a full service seven-day-a-week wholesale bakery with delivery at 1001 Fourth Ave E.,” the post reads. “We are currently operating the wholesale side of the bakery and accepting wholesale accounts. If your business is looking for local wholesale baked goods, please reach out to us at: FrenchiesOn4th@gmail.com.”
Disappointed you can’t buy just a loaf? The bakery will expand to offer retail services on Aug. 7, and be open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
“We will be phasing in several items over the first few months, to include donuts, bread, pastries, bagels, biscuits, cinnamon rolls and much more, plus gluten free and vegan options,” the post reads, adding that they plan to serve coffee from Ember Goods, a nearby shop on Washington Street.
But the food news downtown isn’t all good: Halyard’s Cafe at 406 Fourth Ave. E. will close next month, the business announced.
“To quote our patron saint, Kenny Rogers, ‘You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away.’ After much soul-searching and bank account-inspecting, Halyard’s has made the hard decision to fold ‘em and walk away.
“We are truly grateful for the love and support of our community. We couldn’t have made Halyard’s happen without you. But the time has come to do something else.
“If you’ve enjoyed Halyard’s during the last 2-plus years, we’d love to serve you again before we’re done. Our last day is Sunday, July 14.”
Real estate
More mini-storage has been proposed in Tumwater, according to a notice of application announced by the city.
The applicant, Patagon Ventures of Provo, Utah, proposes to build a 309-unit self-storage building with a leasing office at 2800 37th Ave. SW.
The 14-day comment period ends at 5 p.m. July 3. Send your comments to Permit Manager Tami Merriman at tmerriman@ci.tumwater.wa.us.
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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.
