Brewery transformed to baseball facility, oyster bar eyes new space, fusion eatery opens
Seizing on the fact that there are limited opportunities to hone baseball and softball skills indoors in Thurston County, three men with baseball backgrounds are opening the 40/40 Athletic Training Facility in downtown Olympia this weekend.
The term “40/40” refers to someone who has hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases. The facility offers a place where beginners and those with experience can hit in a batting cage, pitch off a baseball mound, practice their fielding or work on their strength and agility training.
Not only that, but it’s also open to baseball and softball teams, or for birthday parties, or for team-building events.
Owners John Cruz, Sean Lindros and Shawnbrey McNeal, a name some professional football fans might recognize, have outfitted a 7,000-square-foot space in the former Fish Tale brewery building at 514 Jefferson St. SE. It’s across the street from the former pub of the same name.
Co-owner Cruz said there are private batting cages in the county, but very few that are open to the public. The owners want to change that, giving anyone a chance to hit off the digital image of a pitcher, either left-handed or right-handed, and then track where that ball goes off the bat.
That’s some of the technology that will be at work at the business. Hitters in the batting cage will be able to see a projected image of a pitcher wind up, pitch, and then watch as an actual ball emerges from his hand for the batter to swing and hit or miss. Monitor screens will show the direction of the hit baseball and exit velocity off the bat.
Baseball fans also can select their favorite ballpark, such as T-Mobile Park, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park or how about Target Field in the Twin Cities?
“We want to give the community a place where they can train year-round,” said Cruz, who coaches little league baseball.
Lindros was head coach at Northwest Christian High School in Lacey when the team won a baseball championship. McNeal, who has done some coaching, is best known for playing football at the University of Miami, Southern Methodist University and later in the NFL and CFL.
40/40 will be open 3 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more about the business, check out the 40/40 website.
Other business happenings
Representatives of Chelsea Farm Oyster Bar, now housed in the 222 Market site, are set to meet with Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee to get feedback on a proposal called the “Chelsea Oyster House,” according to city information.
Developers and others meet with the committee to learn more about what the city will require is they move forward with proposed projects.
The proposal aims to renovate about 3,400 square feet into a restaurant and 1,249 square feet into storage at 301 Capitol Way N., just a few blocks north of the current oyster bar.
“Pete Lea’s Automotive to remain,” the project narrative reads. “Site work includes removing two existing parking stalls and adding an awning on the west facade to create a covered patio for outdoor dining.”
Bollywood Burrito and Bowl, an Indian/Mexican fusion restaurant, has opened in Olympia Square, a shopping center that flanks Pacific Avenue at Fones Road in Olympia. It filled a former Sub Shop space that is west of the Albertsons.
The restaurant, which is currently open daily for dinners, serves burritos, bowls and tacos with your choice of Indian and Mexican toppings.
Cut Rate Vacuum, which sold and repaired vacuum cleaners for more than 50 years, is closing up shop this weekend, the business announced. The business, which for years was on Pacific Avenue before it moved to Olympia Square South, stopped accepting repairs on March 20.
South Sound Behavioral Hospital in Lacey has added 30 new in-patient beds, growing the total to 138 beds. The hospital is in the city’s Midtown, which is near Huntamer Park and along Woodland Square Loop.
Looking to entertain visitors or enjoy a meal with family? Consider Delmonico’s Butchery, which has announced a five-course dinner at its shop at 916 Fourth Ave. E.
“All guests are seated at one single large black walnut table,” owner Brian McDonald said.
Dinners are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting promptly at 7 p.m. and ending at 9.30 p.m. There is one seating per night. The cost is $145 per person; tax, tip and wine pairings are included.
Check out the five-course dinner menu on the Delmonico’s website under “dinner.”
The public is invited to attend any of the spring open houses at Sandbox Playschool at its new address, 703 Rogers St., NW in Olympia. The open houses will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Sundays: April 21, May 19, and June 9.
Sandbox Playschool recently acquired a related business called Great Beginnings Daycare and Child Development Center.
The school is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early education, which believes that children should be treated as active collaborators and not subjects or passive observers.
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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.
