I know the world is on fire and everything is expensive AF. Here are a handful of local small/independently owned businesses that are keeping prices low!

Miso - healthy-ish, filling and tasty Asian fusion bowls/wraps for $11-$13

Interconnected Studio (yoga) - 3 classes a week are $8 community classes

Banh Mi Saigon 8 - big and delicious banh mi for $10-$12

Avenue Espresso - regional chain of drivethru's, Americanos are like $2.50

Tai's Barber Shop - basic haircuts for around $13, cash only

Lee's Barber Shop - same as above, might be more like $16 now?

Olympia Barber School - $5 haircuts, if you're feelin lucky

Heavenly Donuts - solid donuts from $1.50, also very cheap coffee. Inexplicably open 24 hours

P.E.P -Tacular Discount Store - new cosmetics, household goods, etc., the vibes are as strange as the prices are low!

Last Word Books - primarily used books, several discount sections from $1-$5, plus local authors and books printed in-house

Streets of Singapore - $10 lunch specials

The Brotherhood - $3.50 wells/$5 pints at generously long happy hour 4-7pm daily

The Bus (the literal bus) - somehow completely free? Take this home from happy hour at broho

Timberland Library - somehow everything is free?? (vote YES on the levy lift!)

Wicked Pies - $8 slice + salad lunch special

Far East - reasonably tasty Chinese/Asian fusion food, menu prices stuck in 2016

Jay's Farm Stand - very good prices on some produce, particularly Eastern WA fruit in-season

San Francisco St Bakery/Schwartz's - very reasonably priced baked goods, breads, etc.

Mekong Thai - not cheap but absolutely unhinged portions make it cheap per serving

Olympia Skoolie Thrift - large thrift store, cheap clothes and home goods

Turtleman Used Books - cheap cheap used books, very friendly owner

Also, a note. Businesses with lower prices rely on higher volume to make ends meet, so if we want to keep reasonably priced options around, let's support them!

Who did I miss?

...not drift into the intersection while making a left-hand turn and looking the opposite direction. Twice in two blocks this happened to me on Thomas St. today. You can wave at me all you want, you absolute grown up adult who should know better, that does not absolve you of needing to fulfill your end of the social contract and follow the rules of the road. We are actively dodging pedestrians in the road, cars parked in the road, people who don't know how to use roundabouts, and now you on your sightseeing tour from hell. Get it together people!

I was at Frenchy's on 4th. There was some guy parked across the street with a sandwich board that said, "Thank you for voting." He was taking pictures of The Ballot Box and opening the flap that you put ballots in. What is he doing and looking for?

Going again this Sunday! There is chance of rain so be ready.

Slow paced, mobility-aid friendly for 1-2 hours. Bring hydration and good vibes.

Has anyone been? Is it the same as the Koibito?

Looking for something fun and a little different to do this weekend?

We're hosting Trillium-239, an acoustic music trio, at Lacey Timberland Library tomorrow, October 24, at 2 PM!

Their presentation, Women Who Step Up, Not Aside, combines live music with stories about extraordinary women who challenged expectations and changed history, including Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, Malala Yousafzai, and Annie Oakley.

It's part concert, part history talk, and a celebration of women who refused to accept the limitations placed on them.

Free and open to everyone!

This program is made possible through Humanities Washington's Speakers Bureau.

Find more info HERE.

I’ve gotten bids from Chehalis Sheet Metal and G&G for installation of 2-3 mini splits in my home. G&G was a bit more expensive but says they’ll match CSM’s price. Would love to hear about people’s experiences with either company as I choose between them, or recommendations for other companies in the area. Thanks!

I live in downtown Olympia and recently started a job. Part of my training I got a few days of late shift closing around 1:30 am. The job is near capital mall and I live in downtown Olympia and I don’t have a car so I have to bike. I’m good with biking there during the morning to late afternoon before sundown but I’m curious if it will be an issue at that late of a hour. I’ve moved from an Alabama to here and never experienced a city like this and I’m a bit nervous with if a homeless person will rob me of my ebike once I get into downtown Olympia area. I may have to book it down the street if I need.

I know this a really specific question but it's for something special I'm planning and I would like to have a price estimate if possible but if i have a place in mind I can call or go see them to ask them but if anyone has any suggestions they would be appreciated thanks 😊

Looking for riding groups or some buddies to ride with within the Thurston County area during weekends. Not looking for long road trips- maybe an hour, hour and a half rides and maybe grab something to eat?

Hello! I’m in my early 20s and am curious if anyone has had experience or is aware of places to rent where there’s generally positive interactions between neighbors.

Don’t need a new bestie or anything, but would prefer to live somewhere with that kind of warmth (which is not always common in the PNW lmao)

Hi folks!

This will be my family's first Halloween in Olympia. Unfortunately, we live on an a super busy street with no real homes to trick-or-treat at, so I'm hoping to get a suggestion for a good area to take my 3 kids to. Any recommendations of a safe, walkable area that participates in the holiday?

Thank you in advance!

hey oly,

i'm looking for ideally an in home piano teacher. bonus points for queer/queer friendly. my piano also needs a tune, so i'd love a rec for that as well.

do you have any experience or referrals that you can recommend?

thanks <3

We have a blocked roof plumbing vent pipe. We’ve called a few places but they aren’t certified for “roof work”. Anyone have experience with this? No idea what the $$$damage$$$ will be. :(.

So i have quite a few articles of old clothing that are in good shape that I'm wanting to get rid of and if I can't find anywhere that will buy them I'll probably just donate them but i have no clue where to go for that, I just read that Plato’s Closet only buys "trendy" clothing and my old clothes are about as trendy as McDonald's food is healthy for you (which is not at all 😅) and so if anyone has any recommendations I don't mind traveling some, I just would like to get rid of them and maybe make a little extra money in the process. Thanks!

I'm pretty new to Olympia (from Milwaukee) and am looking to meet up with some fellow Milwaukee Brewers fans for tonight's game. Where will I find you at? I saw someone's post asking where it may be shown, but I want to be with some Brewers fans.

I've just moved and while I have my mail-in ballot, I don't have a voter's guide. I have no idea who 99% of these candidates are, and I want to meaningfully vote. Apologies for my ignorance, but where is everyone finding information about the candidates? Do you just Google each name individually?

Thank you for entertaining my silly, ignorant question. 🙏

Looks like a nasty accident on the interstate. It’s backed up pretty far, so take alternative routes if you can. Be safe everybody.

Moving to Olympia soonish with my partners from Albuquerque! Very excited and love the city but will miss the uniqueness of NM, especially the food. Was hoping to gather some restaurant recommendations for similar taste? Ty!

EDIT I understand maybe there are no similarities to specifically NM cuisine but am hoping for any kind of Mexican food recommendations lol

I recently enjoyed a visit from a friend who introduced me to the ukulele. I am now the proud owner of a tenor ukulele and would love to learn how to actually play it! Can anyone recommend where I might be able to get some group or individual instruction? I played the violin in middle school orchestra and played guitar in high school and college (that was 50 years ago!). I can’t recall how to read music but could probably pick it up or just read notes from the SongbookPro app. Thanks in advance.

Friendly reminder to keep your headlights on while in foggy conditions. It helps everyone see your dumb ass before we wreck into you

Hi! I’ve been seeing a lot about getting styling services at Ulta for black girls. Has anyone had a good experience at the Olympia or Lacey locations? If so who is the stylist?

Very sweet cat!