When we get a moment, we like to check out interesting shops & eats. Here are a few we recommend.
Shelton - Lady of the Lake is on Pickering Road on the way to Jarrell's Cove and Harstine Island, across from Spencer Lake in Shelton. Linda and Bill Newman are long-time clients of the auction and I recently took a trip to see what they'd been up to. Massive rennovations were done to their store and it just seems to go on-and-on. Many nooks and crannies to explore and not just antiques. I was there with my young adult son and he found many cool things that he just "had" to have. From glass floats to chandeliers to gorgeous clothing, furniture, and loads of jewelry, it would be hard to think of what you couldn't find in this gorgeous store. Located at 1085 E Pickering Road, Shelton, and open five (5) days a week - Thursday through Monday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (360) 426-8632
Shelton - Since you'll probably stay longer than you thought you would at Lady of the Lake, don't miss a stop at Olympic Bakery & Deli, 591 E Pickering Rd, Shelton. After a hard day packing out a house on Harstine, Laura, Justin, David and I stopped here at the bakery for lunch. Don't let the name fool you, there's a lot more here than baked goods. We all had something different and all the entrees were delicious. I had a great turkey sandwich on homemade sourdough with an interesting orange/cranberry relish. It was delicious. The bakery is open seven days a week and offers wines from around the world, international cheeses, Olympic Mountain ice cream, salads, pastries, cookies, freshly baked bread, and pet-friendly treats (we didn't try the dog biscuits, but I bet they're good!) :-) If you don't have time to drive out to Spencer Lake, try their new Olympic Station Deli, located at 410 N. 1st Street, Shelton. They have an espresso drive-through and similar fare as their "sister" down the road.
Downtown Olympia - Ginger Street is on Capitol Way (kitty corner from Starbucks and Sylvester Park). You'll recognize Laura from the auction (she's the clerk!). Joe & Laura Cattuti were “transplanted” from New York a few years ago to be closer to their children & grandchildren. Long-time entrepreneurs, they set up a charming gift shop in the heart of Olympia. It's hard to say what they specialize in. The shop contains an interesting variety of antiques, vintage, and new items. Laura loves birds, so there is a great selection of "bird" items. . . and everthing from "true antique" furniture to local art and just about anything else you can think of! (Joe’s glass-blowing studio is still in Rainier, but he's brought plenty of the glass into "the big city!") Check out their website: www.gingerstreetstore.com (especially the "good news" page - only good news!) Open Monday- Saturdays 11:00 - 6:00 pm & Sundays by chance. 360-943-1545
Downtown Olympia – Furniture Works, 402 Washington St NE, Olympia (near the Farmer’s Market). Ken & Kim Adney truly have an eclectic store. I purchased a bunk bed set (all wood, brand new) for my grandsons from Furniture Works at a considerable savings. On a recent visit, I found reasonably priced antique oak pieces, a great selection of dining sets, local art, sleek Danish modern pieces, and more. The store is spacious (over 5,000 sf) and the merchandise changes daily.
www.OlyFurnitureWorks.com or (360) 570-0165 for hours.
Closed Mondays.
Yelm Highway – The Second Hand Rose, 9243 Yelm Highway SE, Olympia (a few miles past the train station, as you drive from Olympia towards Yelm). Although the name purports to be a “second hand store,” proprietor Terry Torrence has one of the largest and most interesting collections of cool, old stuff in Washington state. If you haven’t been to this historic grange hall, it’s a must! Impossible to see everything in one visit! Opens at 11:00 daily, Thursday through Monday (or when you drive by if the sign says “open.”) (360) 459-0954.
On another "food" note (we've been doing a lot of pack-ups lately, so we have had time to try some new restaurants.) PIZZANO Subs near the new Lowe's at the corner of College Street & Yelm Highway. Not your traditional west-coast subs. . . they have a hot grill where they throw the food on and cook and chops and cook and chop some more. DELISH! ("They" tell me the fries are delicious, but I didn't try them on this visit.)
Written by Lori Menger, Certified Appraiser & Auctioneer
