The Future of the Old Tumwater Brewery

If you’re a South Sound resident, you might have heard that the Old Tumwater Brewery has been purchased last year by a team of real estate investors for 1.4 million dollars. You might also have noticed that work crews have been busy cleaning up the brewery site, and you may be wondering what is next for the iconic building site on the shores of Capitol Lake.

Although tons of debris has been removed, hazards secured, and some structural elements reinforced, the building remains an empty shell. This shell, full of potential, is waiting for the right business ventures to occupy it and take advantage of the special architectural features, the historic background and the amazing location.

Just a stone’s throw from I-5 and Hwy 101, located midway between Olympia and Tumwater, sitting on the shores of Capitol Lake, and just a short walk from Tumwater Falls Park, this property would be a perfect home for micro-breweries, pubs, cafes, hotel, condos, restaurants, boat rentals, etc.

The complex is made up of several multi-story buildings and a immense patio, connecting several of the buildings, called the “pavilion”. With businesses filling the empty spaces, easy access and plenty of parking, this site would attract not just locals, but also regional visitors and customers. It could be a popular destination point between Portland and Seattle. The brewery owners are currently in the visioning process and are seeking leasing partners to bring the Old Brewery back to life.

I was recently fortunate to receive a tour of the facility. Here are photos of how the site currently presents itself. With a little bit of imagination, it’s not hard to see how this site could be transformed.

 

What can you do with 240 tons of sand?

…Tons of Fun

Sand in the City is back in Olympia from 27-29 August at the Port Plaza and surrounding area.

Stop on by to check out the amazing sand sculptures, to enjoy live music, dance performances, food and drink, and activities.

 The schedule of fun includes:

Master Sand Sculpting Demo
Build and play in the Giant Sandbox
Make & Take Activity Tent
Live Tidepool Touch Tank
Face Painting booths
Sky-high climbing wall
Search for sea shells at Sifting for Sea Treasures
Meet and greet Mini Horses and Donkeys from the Hoofed Animal Rescue of Thurston County
Free Books with South Sound Reading Foundation …and much more.

Sand in the City is sponsored by Olympia’s Hands On Children’s Museum. Proceeds from the event help support the new building for the museum, which will be a tremendous asset to Olympia. For more event information check here.

 

Thurston County Relay for Life 2010 – Join the Fun and Festivities

Every year Relay for Life events bring together millions of people and millions of dollars to help fight and prevent cancer, to save lives and diminish suffering.

I’m part of the “Fighting for Candles” team, and we have already raised over $3,000 this year. I’ve designed the ad on the left, which is running in the Thurston County Real Estate Book (thank you Ruth). 

The 2010 Thurston County Relay event is being held on the 25th and 26th of June at Black Hills High School in Tumwater.

This event not only raises money, but also brings the community together for fun activities in a joint effort for a good cause. Some of the items on the event schedule are a Spaghetti feed on Friday evening by Dirty Dave’s restaurant, a Luminaria Ceremony, Relay Olympics, a pancake breakfast hosted by the VFW on Saturday morning, Aerobics (and/or Zumba!), judging for Best Baton, a BBQ lunch hosted by Red Robin restaurant, a Martial Arts Exhibition and a silent auction.

I hope you can come out and join us.

It’s not too late to join a team, or donate to the cause.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10GW?team_id=584392&pg=team&fr_id=25093

 

Olympia Whimsical Homes

There’s a difference between a home that freakishly sticks out and makes you shake your head every time you drive by, and a whimsical home with a little bit of an attitude. I love the homes with an attitude. The freaks, not so much. I feel really sorry for the neighbors who have to live next to the yellow house with the purple polka dots that looks like it has the measles.

Olympia is a little bit of an eccentric town, a uniqueness that’s reflected in some of the local homes.

Sandy Nelson
Olympia Realtor®

 

The Olympia Farmers’ Market – A Destination

Did you know that the Olympia Farmers’ Market is the second largest farmers’ market in the State of Washington, second only after Pike Place Market? It not only offers local quality organic produce, meats, herbs, clams & oysters, breads & pastries, fresh dairy products, plants and flowers, but also hand crafted gifts, a variety of food concessions and live entertainment. The on-site snow cone stand and the balloon artist are a perennial favorite with kids. I love the intermingled food aromas of grilled Bavarian sausages, Indian curry and crab cakes. For visitors wanting a respite from the crowds, there is a serene garden providing benches and views of a pond. The market is open from April until December, so come down and visit.

http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/

 

Who doesn’t know the Olympia Flower Lady?

The Flower Lady on the corner of North St. and Cleveland Avenue is one of my favorite Olympia sights. She’s always dressed for the occasion and pulls off being sparkly without appearing gaudy. The Flower Lady looks simply fabulous, despite being a full figured multiple X plus size. However does she do it? I guess it’s not so hard looking all glam when you have several people devoted to styling your wardrobe and accessories. I’ve actually witnessed a wardrobe change while stopped at a red light once.

I imagine the flower lady to be my age and relate to her because she’s a fellow business woman. The store Artistry in Flowers is her shop. I’ve been in there several times, buying potted plants and bouquets, and I’m always tempted to go to the back of the store and peek in the flower lady’s closet. It must be quite a sight. Driving by the flower lady always makes me happy, and whenever I have a free minute I stop to take a picture of her.

I only wish I knew her name. She looks like she could be a Betty-Sue, or a Beatrice. What do you think?

  

 

 

Power Poles ruin the Views and Street-Scapes of Olympia

With a city as pretty as Olympia and with such stunning views, why are utility poles still tolerated?

 

 

No modern city has above ground power lines any more, and you won’t see them in new subdivisions. Why then does the Capitol City of the State of Washington still look like a throw-back to the fifties, or like a third world country town when it comes to the utility poles?

I understand that placing these lines underground is a costly affair, but what’s the alternative? Are we waiting until every home and business runs on alternative energy?

Not only would underground utility lines improve the look of Olympia’s street scape and help give  us unobstructed views, they would require less maintenance and fewer power outages in inclement weather.

Olympia is growing up and developing and should have the infrastructure to go with it.

 

How much nicer would this view be, if there were no utility lines ?