Olympia espresso stand has new owners/name, a downtown biz has closed, arcade opens Friday

The Hansons are back in the coffee business, acquiring an espresso stand on Henderson Boulevard at Briggs Village in Olympia that used to be an Evergreen Valley Espresso location, co-owner Steve Hanson said this week.

They bought the location in July and renamed it Fika Kaffe . “Fika” is Swedish for coffee break, a break that not only includes coffee but also baked goods, he said.

He runs the business with his wife, Whitney, whose grandmother is Swedish. She introduced Whitney to the language and the country’s foods, he said.

Their location has a drive-thru lane, but also can accommodate walk-up business and has some outdoor seating. They plan to add more seating, outdoor heating and an awning, he said.

Fika Kaffe is one of a few small businesses at Briggs Village that are surrounded by a mix of housing, including senior housing.

Hanson said business has been good and largely built by word-of-mouth interest, adding that some of the senior housing residents walk over and say, “I saw you through my window.”

Other businesses in the immediate area include Briggs Taphouse , which also serves pizza, and Humble Cow ice cream. Hanson would to see the espresso stand become part of the regular rotation. Customers can get their pizza, have ice cream for dessert and then get coffee at Fika, he said.

Fika serves baked goods from San Francisco Street Bakery and coffee from Seattle-based Fulcrum Coffee Roasters . Fika Kaffe is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The business is looking to expand to Sunday hours, he said.

Dow ntown business closes

Stellar Juices , which was in business for more than six years, has closed, the owners announced on Facebook.

The business closed Sept. 8.

“Despite our love for what we do, the current economic times have made it unsustainable for us to continue,” the post reads.

“While we are heartbroken to leave, we remain hopeful that someone will step up to continue offering our community the healthy, plant-based options we believe in.”

The business served plant-based organic juices, smoothies, food, matcha and snacks.

Stellar Juices was at 623 Fifth Ave SE.

Arcade opens

Insert Coin , which already operates a location in Centralia, is opening its arcade, restaurant, bar and ax-throwing destination in Olympia at 5 p.m. Friday, according to its Facebook page .

The business has been working on its space next to Albertsons on Pacific Avenue at Fones Road since earlier this year. The shopping center is known as Olympia Square.

The business has hired 33 people, co-owner Keli Coleman said.

“Insert Coin Olympia will be opening its doors for business TOMORROW Friday September 13th @ 5PM!,” the post reads. “Please note that this whole weekend will be a ‘soft’ opening, so please be patient as our staff are learning all the things!”

Like your boss?

The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and Express Employment Professionals , a staffing business, are seeking nominations for Boss of the Year.

Nominate your boss here . Nominations close Oct. 9.

“This is the tenth year of honoring bosses who are great at leading with creativity, clear communication, vision, hard work, strong ethics, service, and knowledge,” a news release reads.

Saint Martin’s University business students will help pick the winner by interviewing finalists and collecting information for the committee.

That will be followed by a Boss of the Year award presentation at the chamber’s December forum on Dec. 11.

Blacksmith/Artist needs space

Arbutus Folk School in Olympia will no longer be able to offer blacksmithing classes because the instructor is facing an unaffordable rent hike at a separate location, the executive director of the school announced.

Kelly Rigg has operated his blacksmithing and metal fabricating business for the last 15 years, which is now on Rich Road, said Hillary Tully in an email.

“Once a month, when it’s not too hot, Kelly pushes his normal equipment aside and sets up his shop as a classroom. Student forges are wheeled into the middle and Kelly spends the day teaching blacksmithing classes, something he has done since the beginning of Arbutus Folk School,” her email reads.

The shop space he rents was recently sold to new owners.

“Under the new lease they have presented him, his rent will more than double,” her email reads.

This is what he is looking for, according to Tully: A space around 1,000 square feet in the South Sound region at around $1 per square foot.

“We appreciate your patience as we hope to offer blacksmithing classes again in the future,” she writes.

Nisqually Tribe, Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation sued for breach of contract

Restaurant, bar, ax-throwing and 200 arcade games coming to Olympia

If y ou 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.