WESTWATER VILLAGE: From Iconic Hotel to Home Sweet Home
SWAE Night Market: Bringing Community and Culture Together Every Other Friday Lt.
magazine
PUBLISHER
Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
EDITORIAL
David Schaffert
360-357-3362
dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com
CONTRIBUTORS
David Schaffert
Kathryn Millhorn
ADVERTISING
Sales & Marketing:
Krystal Barkus-Franco
Elizabeth MacLean
Ashley Chandler
SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362
info@thurstonchamber.com
DESIGN
Ben Hawkes
Mosaic Marketing Studio
COVER
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Matthew McFarlane runs with soldiers at Army Heritage Day Run, June 18, 2025. Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Fabian Jones
PRINTING Print NW
CONTACT THE CHAMBER 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362
info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com
In This Issue: May 2026
by David Schaffert, President/CEO, Thurston County Chamber
As we move into May, the momentum across Thurston County is undeniable. This issue of VOICE Magazine highlights the people, projects, and partnerships shaping our region’s future—while reinforcing what makes this community such a dynamic place to live, work, and do business.
We begin with a preview of the Thurston County Chamber’s 121st Annual Meeting, where attendees will hear from Lieutenant General Matthew W. McFarlane, Commanding General of I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. His keynote offers a rare opportunity to better understand the scale and complexity of military operations in the Indo-Pacific— and the direct connection between JBLM and our local economy. With thousands of service members, families, and civilian employees living and working in our region, the partnership between JBLM and Thurston County continues to be both strategic and deeply impactful.
This issue also explores innovative approaches to housing and redevelopment through a feature on Westwater Village. The transformation of a former hotel into a modern, amenity-rich residential community reflects a growing trend in adaptive reuse—one that addresses housing needs while revitalizing existing spaces. With nearly 200 units, shared workspaces, and on-site amenities, Westwater Village represents a new take on the live/ work/play lifestyle in Olympia.
Complementing that story is a look inside The Westwater Kitchen & Lounge, a new dining destination located within the development. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and community partnerships, this business adds another layer to the evolving experience of mixed-use spaces—creating opportunities for connection alongside convenience.
Finally, we highlight the continued growth of the SWAE Night Market, a vibrant community gathering that celebrates local makers, food vendors, and creatives. These events are more than entertainment—they are powerful platforms for small businesses and a reflection of the strong community spirit that defines Thurston County.
Together, these stories underscore a common theme: progress rooted in collaboration. Whether through economic partnerships, housing innovation, or community-driven events, Thurston County continues to build a future that is both resilient and connected.
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER
BUILDING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY SINCE
COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. ©2026 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.
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Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe
W hen Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe owner Annie Evans was looking for a relationship bank that felt convenient and community connected, the choice was clear. With a branch across the street from her Chehalis location, OlyFed was already a trusted neighbor.
As a busy entrepreneur, Annie values having a bank that keeps things simple and responsive, allowing her to focus on her clients and growing her business.
“I know that when the time comes for my next investment or business venture, OlyFed will be there to listen and understand the nuances of our region and market,” Annie says.
It’s the kind of partnership that continues to show how mutual means more at OlyFed.
Annie Evans, Owner
Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe
May 2026
Visit thurstonchamber.com/events or scan the QR code for more info about all upcoming Thurston Chamber events.
Annual Meeting
Join our host, River's Edge at 4611 Tumwater Valley Dr SE, Tumwater, WA 98501, on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for a special Thurston Young Professionals Networking Event. Enjoy bites and beverages as you expand your network! All are welcome – feel free to invite other 20 to 30-year olds so they can expand their networks! Thurston Young Professionals is sponsored by KGY Media Group and The MultiCare Foundation.
Join our Business After Hours host South Sound Reading Foundation in partnership with SCJ Alliance at 200 Sleater Kinney Rd NE Olympia WA 98506 on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for mingling and networking with other business professionals, a door prize business card drawing, beverages and appetizers. Business After Hours is a great opportunity to expand your network, and it is proudly sponsored by ROXY 94.5
The Thurston County Chamber invites business and community leaders to attend its 121st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Norman Worthington Center at Saint Martin’s University, 5300 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey. This year’s keynote speaker is Lieutenant General Matthew W. McFarlane, Commanding General of I Corps, one of the U.S. Army’s largest and most globally deployed corps, headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Reserve your tickets today at ThurstonChamber.com. Thank you to our Presenting Partner, The Port of Olympia.
Thank You Sponsors!
The VOICE prints on FSC® Certified paper. The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC), is a non-profit organization that sets
IN THIS ISSUE
Iconic Hotel to Home
Sweet Home: Olympia's Westwater Village p. 7
Nearly 200 reimagined units with unique amenities and dining options, repurposed from an iconic 1960's era hotel atop Capitol Lake.
PNW Soul Cooking for Dine-In, Take Out, and Special Events p. 13
Located inside Westwater Village complex, you'll find the Westwater Kitchen & Lounge – a bar, restaurant & coffee stand, with local food favorites and fresh flavors.
SWAE Night Market: Community, Culture, and Creativity p. 17
Founder Jason Huang brings small businesses together to celebrate diverse stories and traditions at SWAE's Night Markets every other Friday.
Caught in the Lens p. 20
Special Edition Caught in the Lens, with photos from our April 17th fundraiser, A Night on the Town.
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When looking for an apartment, we juggle a mental list with three categories: must-have, not-a-dealbreaker, and just-meh. These rank everything from a potential unit’s square footage and finishings to on-site amenities, atmosphere, and location.
OLYMPIA’S WESTWATER VILLAGE From Iconic Hotel to Home Sweet Home
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photos by Shanna Paxton Photography
At Westwater Village, they’re winning over renters by providing a new take on the live/work/play vibe that’s conveniently near downtown Olympia. With unique amenities—including dining options thanks to The Westwater Kitchen & Lounge—these reimagined units began welcoming residents in March 2026.
Located at 2402 Lakeridge Way SW, Westwater Village’s address may sound familiar. This is because the site started out as the 1960s-era Westwater Hotel, and later became the Red Lion Hotel, among others. In 2023, Sage Investment Group acquired the property and its adaptive reuse began in 2024.
“Many communities are facing a workforce housing shortage,” explains Sage’s Head of Community Relations Whitney Wilkins. “Westwater Village
represents our continued commitment to revitalizing underutilized properties and delivering quality housing options in growing communities. By repurposing the former Olympia Hotel, we are able to bring nearly 200 new housing units to Olympia while preserving and enhancing many of the features that made the property a local landmark.”
Sage has turned the building’s existing footprint into studio apartments and repurpose hotelspecific spaces into thoughtfully designed areas for residents and their guests. Wilkins says that Westwater Village “represents one of our largest projects, and one of the most amenity-rich communities in Sage’s portfolio. Amenities include a large fitness and workout facility, resident lounge and game area, meeting rooms and co-working spaces, an indoor public bar and restaurant, a coffee stand, outdoor patio and grill areas,
and professional on-site property management.”
The fitness center and game room were formerly the Red Lion’s ballroom, and the outdoor fire pits and patio space sit atop what used to be an in-ground swimming pool. Added to the development’s list of perks are an interactive golf simulator, 70s inspired lounge with big-screen projector, private balconies, and quality in-unit finishes like luxury vinyl plank flooring, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and key fob entry.
Bike racks and EV charging ports will support your vehicle of choice and the finest dining options courtesy of The Westwater Kitchen & Lounge is open now and happy hour starts at 2:30pm.
Sage Investment Group is proud to help tackle our state’s affordable housing crisis through hotel conversions just like this. Wilkins says they love transforming “underutilized hospitality properties into modern residential communities which can expand housing opportunities in high-demand markets.”
Westwater Village overlooks Capitol Lake, the Capitol dome, Olympic mountains, and lights of downtown. Residents can enjoy round-the-clock maintenance support, community events, a pet-friendly lifestyle, and online resident portal. Property managers Olympic Multi-Family Management have more than 30 years of Western Washington experience and nearly two dozen clients across Thurston County alone.
Final construction is due to wrap up summer 2026 but the first rentals are well underway. You can learn more, schedule a tour, and apply at WestwaterVillage.com or by calling 360.522.0965. The website has updated floor plan, availability, and amenity links as well as an informative video walkthrough courtesy of Wilkins herself.
Then dust off your wish list and head over to experience Westwater Village yourself. Dinner reservations accepted from 4:30pm until 9pm. Happy Hour is from 2:30pm - 5:30pm daily. All dining options will be open, so come explore the amazing transformation of an iconic Olympia landmark.
THE WESTWATER KITCHEN & LOUNGE
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photos by Shanna Paxton Photography
There’s home cooking and then there’s the kind of fresh, local luxury which feeds body and soul. For the newly opened Westwater Kitchen & Lounge, these concepts happily coexist.
Located inside Westwater Village apartment complex on a site which was formerly Olympia’s Red Lion Hotel, you’ll find a bar, restaurant, and coffee stand with all your existing and new-to-you favorites.
Just like Westwater Village started out as a hotel, Westwater Kitchen & Lounge is a small business evolution. Owners Chris and Jennifer Murphy have been part of the regional dining scene for many years. Chris—a lifelong foodie and pit master for Marv’s Marvlus Pit BBQ—and Jennifer also own Carve Food Services LLC, which contracts meals for local behavioral health facilities.
PNW Soul Cooking for Dine-In, Take Out, and Special
Events
But recently they’d been looking for new opportunities to scale up their business. Jennifer says that while they never imagined something on this scale, they’re excited to offer so many options to residents and the public.
“We’ll be so near the courthouse and many office buildings,” says Murphy, “and customers are welcome to come sit in the lobby and eat while they work or take Grab & Go items” during the day or return at night for cocktails in the bar, happy hour specials, and decadent dinner options.
When the Red Lion hotel closed, Murphy says that nearly everything was left behind, making the site almost turn-key and very exciting. Staff did a deep clean of the kitchen and adjacent facilities, giving everything what she calls “a fresh facelift” including new paint, flooring, and lighting.
The Westwater Kitchen & Lounge welcomed a new chef in mid-2025 and a chef de cuisine in 2026. Their soft opening took place in mid-April with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on April 30, 2026.
Always on the lookout for community partners to keep ingredients fresh, seasonal, local, and delicious, Murphy explains that their chef de cuisine also owns Summit Farms. From the farmstead they’ll use home-grown items for “everything!,” she laughs, including housemade pickles, fresh focaccia bread, and even spam musubi.
They’ll also partner with Phantom Roasters for drip and espresso coffee, Tea Madame for hot teas, and Olympia Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar store as well. “We are aiming for every part of the guest experience to be top notch,” says Murphy. If you’re a local farm, grower, or specialty food purveyor, they’d love to hear about your offerings; email the team today.
For larger scale get-togethers, The Westwater Kitchen & Lounge offers a banquet space which can accommodate up to 28 and a meeting room for approximately 50 attendees. To discuss rental and catering, email carve@carvefoodservices.com or call 360.800.6420 and the team will happily discuss availability and options.
The Westwater Kitchen & Lounge is growing alongside Westwater Village so check back frequently. Reservations are currently recommended but not required and can be made at www.TheWestwater.com. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok for the latest updates, additions, specials, and events.
Whether you live on-site and Westwater Kitchen & Lounge becomes your go-to meal plan or you’re organizing a hot date, the office holiday party, a bubbly girls-night-out, or large-scale celebration, check them out today. There’s something for everyone, all day long, from morning coffee to late night snacks, all with a local flair that’s sure to satisfy.
Lt. Gen. McFarlane to Keynote Thurston County Chamber’s 121st Annual Meeting
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
The Thurston County Chamber invites business and community leaders to attend its 121st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. This year’s keynote speaker is Lieutenant General Matthew W. McFarlane, Commanding General of I Corps, one of the U.S. Army’s largest and most globally deployed corps, headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). I Corps oversees operations that extend far beyond the installation, and its current mission involves administrative oversight of army units in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Pacific Pathways program.
WHY IT MATTERS
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is one of the largest employers and economic drivers in the South Sound. Thousands of service members, civilian employees, veterans, and military families live and work in Thurston County—making JBLM a vital part of the region’s economy and community fabric.
THE BIG PICTURE
Located just north of Thurston County, JBLM plays a critical role in U.S. defense strategy across the Pacific Rim while serving as a key regional partner. From workforce connections and small business opportunities to community collaboration, the relationship between JBLM and Thurston County is both strategic and deeply interconnected.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Lt. Gen. McFarlane plans to provide an inside look at:
• Operations at scale: The coordination and readiness required to support missions at home and abroad
• Strategy in real time: How decisions made at JBLM connect to defense priorities across the Indo-Pacific
• Modernization: How military operations have evolved over the past 15–20 years, including advancements in technology, personnel expertise, and data-driven decision-making
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR
CHAMBER LEADERSHIP REPORT
The Annual Meeting will also feature a report from Thurston County Chamber leadership, highlighting key accomplishments, strategic priorities, and ongoing efforts to connect business, education, and community in support of a thriving regional economy.
WHY ATTEND
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the nation’s top military leaders while gaining insight into the Chamber’s impact and direction in the year ahead.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 11:30 am – 1:15 pm Where: SMU's Norman Worthington Center Learn more and Register at: ThurstonChamber.com
The Super Swell SWAE Night Market
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photos
We often hear the word ‘marketplace’ in a digital sense. But many of us are falling in love with realworld, IRL, hometown markets all over again. These gatherings of local small businesses, artisans, crafters, and performers celebrate delights like goods, food, entertainment, and community.
SWAE Night Market welcomes regional makers into their community gathering space. SWAE’s team love to celebrate the diverse stories, traditions, and identities of Thurston County and consider themselves a movement rooted in creativity, representation, and meaningful connection.
Check Out SWAE Night Market’s Hub of Community, Culture, and Creativity
Founded by Jason Huang in the summer of 2022, SWAE Night Market typically meets every other Friday during its high season. Huang is from the global mecca of night markets: Taiwan. “I saw an opportunity to bring something
new to this region,” he recalls. “Something that highlights culture, showcases a variety of small and micro businesses, and contributes to the community in a meaningful way.”
He parlayed skills learned in the Marine Corps into a successful event production brand showcasing local gatherings, concerts, DJs, photographers, and even photo booth rental for your party or get-together.
“This all started from seeing a gap and wanting to build something people could experience and be a part of,” Huang explains. “Once we saw how people responded, it just kept growing.”
courtesy of Shanna Paxton Photography and SWAE Night Market
The Night Market is a perfect example of community success. A welcoming, all-ages experience “it’s a fun, lively atmosphere where people can show up, hang out, grab food, support local businesses, and just enjoy themselves,” says Huang. “Whether you’re coming with friends, family, on a date, or just pulling up solo, there’s something for you. And we keep it fresh. Different vendors, themed nights, music, energy; it never feels exactly the same, and that’s what keeps people coming back.”
Keeping it Fresh, Keeping it Real, Keeping it Fun
Vendors for the Night Market are curated to each theme or event and the lineup shifts throughout the year, says Huang. “It’s important to us that every event feels a little different,” he explains. We definitely have returning vendors that people love, but we’re always bringing in new businesses to keep things interesting and give more people a chance to be part of it.”
If you’re a chef, maker, crafter, entrepreneur, or go-getter type and want to be involved, visit SWAENightMarket.com or follow them on Instagram. There you’ll find application details and timelines but know that it’s not a standard first come, first served format. Huang says his team is intentional about who to bring to ensure a strong mix and high-quality experience.
“Our goal is always to build strong partnerships that strengthen the community and create more opportunities for local businesses.”
Because at the end of the day, it’s the people who visit which really keep Huang and his team going strong. “There’s a strong sense of community here. When you put something together with intention, people show up and support. There’s a lot of pride in local businesses and local events. We create the space, but the community is what brings it to life.”
New SWAE Night Market Fun For 2026 and Beyond
The 2026 SWAE Night Market Season opened in April but there are plenty of new treats on the horizon. Huang says the team are formulating more themed nights, stronger entertainment, and refining the visitor experience as a whole.
Beyond the Night Market, they’re kicking off Cars & Coffee automotive shows, communitydriven events, and 21+ gatherings like The Velvet Room: An R&B Experience. Sign up for the website’s newsletter to receive updates and information.
Whether you’re interested as a vendor, shopper, diner, enthusiast, or just looking for the perfect vibe, SWAE Night Market is a great place to start. Unplug, mingle, groove, and spend a night on the town with family and friends. Because, says Huang, “at the end of the day, this is all about community.” Well, community and food trucks…
SPECIAL EDITION CAUGHT IN THE LENS
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED THE FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
PHOTOS BY SHANNA PAXTON PHOTOGRAPHY
