A new taproom comes to Tumwater and a taco restaurant aims to open May 1
Mount Olympus Brewing, an Aberdeen-based brewery that launched in 2018 and survived the pandemic, has expanded to Tumwater with a new taproom.
It opened last month in the Tumwater Craft District, a site on Capitol Boulevard that is home to the South Puget Sound Community College’s Craft Brewing, Distilling, and Cider program and Heritage Distilling Company plus merchants who offer fresh local seafood, ice cream, and cider. The taproom, called Tumwater Taps, was to have its grand opening at noon Friday, March 15, said manager Katie Gonsalves.
To celebrate, they reached out to the city to sound the original Olympia Brewing Co. steam whistle at noon, plus local country musician Seth Stauffer was set to perform at 5 p.m., she said.
The taproom will operate out of about 1,000 square feet at the north end of the west building on the site. While it’s only a taproom, food is nearby in the form of food trucks — Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen, Abe’s Waffles and Bastard Pies operate trucks on the site — as well as Pattaya Thai Express, which has its own storefront at the district.
Mount Olympus Brewing’s signature beer is the Lupulin Fields West Coast IPA, manager Gonsalves said.
According to a menu description, the IPA is “slightly hazy with subtle malt flavor of toasted white bread and caramel. Chinook hops give a smooth bitterness with some pine. Late addition of Amarillo, Chinook, Azacca, and Mosaic give aromas of pine needles, fresh cut flowers, and citrus.”
They also serve a beer called River Roots. Working in partnership with the Grays Harbor Conservation District, a tree is planted for every pint sold, she said.
“We’re a small, family-owned brewery putting in the work, trying to be a success for everybody in the community,” Gonsalves said.
The taproom is open noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, although the business does expect to expand to daily hours.
Other business happenings
Juan Martinez Sr. and Juan Martinez Jr. — both of whom have ties to Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen in Tenino, the Grill at 507 in Yelm, and the food truck at the Tumwater Craft District — are now bringing the Tumwater Taco Co. to the craft district site.
They are aiming for a May 1 opening in time for Cinco de Mayo, said Juan Martinez Sr. He said the new restaurant will feature a tequila and mezcal bar.
Meanwhile, the city of Olympia has announced that a shoreline substantial development permit is being sought for wood waste removal at the former Dunlap Towing site on West Bay Drive, north of West Bay Marina.
“The project seeks to dredge wood debris/sediment from Budd Inlet which has accumulated from the previous use of the site as a log sorting and storage yard,” the city information reads. “The dredging will restore the area to native soil levels and restore access to several boat slips within the adjacent West Bay Marina.
“Ten pilings will be removed to facilitate debris removal and improve habitat conditions. A wood chip loader and associated infrastructure will also be removed,” according to the city.
The comment period for this proposal ends at 5 p.m. April 8. Send your comments to lead planner Lydia Moorehead at lmoorehe@ci.olympia.wa.us.
There’s also an online project information meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. March 19.
People news
Elizabeth Walker is the new CEO of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit home building organization announced. She started March 11.
Walker comes to Olympia from the Midwest where she worked for Habitat for Humanity Chicago.
She served in director roles for fundraising and programs for more than 10 years, leading growth in revenue and expanding housing and education services, according to the nonprofit.
Want to meet the new CEO?
SPS Habitat for Humanity is having a ribbon-cutting event for its new office at 910 Fifth Ave. SE in Olympia at 4 p.m. April 9.
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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.
