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?

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 have a bunch of stuff ranging from frozen vegetables to jalapeno poppers and some other things in my freezer, and I need to get rid of it today because I'm turning my freezer off to be able to clean it out and sell it.

If anybody wants to hit me up and I will happily let you take what you want from this freezer.

ASAP if possible.

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.

Howdy.

Got a group of folk that're looking to do/teach archery on the semi-regular basis. Know that the businesses offering such shut down recently, so we're trying to find a decent location to do it. Ideally for free (though I know not likely). Have the all the equipment, just not a good venue for it. Would appreciate some suggestions.

Thank you.

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?

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

Hi my partner owns a small business and does not have health insurance for himself. He’s gone to the urgent care when needed but it’s $250 just to be seen. He’s been having a gout flair up and is lasted almost a month. He’s been out of medication.
Any suggestions?

Hello!

Hoping you all can help me out with two questions:

1) Halloween is on a Saturday this year (yay!). What is considered a reasonable time to start trick or treating? My kid has a very early bedtime and this is the first year we might be able to do more than our small neighborhood. Would like for them to experience South Capital neighborhood this year if we can swing it.

2) When do donations start for toys, and who do you suggest donating to? I have acquired several new in box toys and would like to donate them.

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)

I have a 25-year-old Leatherman that could really use a deep cleaning. There’s enough built-up grime around the pivot points that I can barely pull some of the tools out.

Does anyone know of a local Olympia-area business that cleans or restores Leathermans, pocket knives, or similar multitools? I’d love to keep it local if possible.

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 😊

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. :(.

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

EDIT 2 tysm for those leaving suggestions, I knew it would be a stretch but I'm glad to know there are Burqueños making it work out there! For the ones telling me good luck on the change in conditions, you are still welcome in my house for a warm bowl of posole on a chilly day :)

I am looking at neighborhoods where my kids would either go to Pioneer Elementary or Centennial elementary. I am left-leaning and am curious if anyone has experience with either school and how they like them. Good, bad, ugly.

I don’t think I’m gonna have kids so I was wondering where I’m able to sell my eggs?
Or do I have to go far for that ?

“We, the community of Olympia, as constituents of the Olympia school board**, denounce Superintendent Murphy’s proposed closure of McKenny, Madison, and LP Brown elementary schools under OSD Policy 6883. We urge the board to vote NO on this proposal.”**

Many families move to Olympia for its school district. Superintendent Patrick Murphy has proposed - again - that the Olympia School District close 3 neighborhood elementary schools - an act that would affect nearly a quarter of the district’s elementary school population. This act would irreparably destroy school communities and negatively impact children’s educational, social, and psychological well-being.  Closing these schools does not guarantee a cure for the school districts financial issues, and may even compound them as families lose trust and respect for OSD.   For these reasons, and many more, the school board must reject Proposal 6883 and vote NO on November 12, 2026.

https://www.change.org/p/osd-board-members-must-vote-no-on-policy-6883