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Explore Exciting Back-to-School Shopping in Downtown Olympia!

As the summer sun begins to wane and the familiar rustle of fallen leaves fills the air, it can only mean one thing – it's time to gear up for another exciting school year! And what better way to start the academic journey than with a memorable back-to-school shopping spree right in the heart of Downtown Olympia? Our downtown district is teeming with shops that cater to every student's needs, from trendy clothes to quirky office supplies and inspiring art materials. Here's a sneak peek at the fabulous shopping options awaiting you:


1. Artistic Haven at Olyphant Art Supply

Unleash your inner artist at Olyphant, where creativity knows no bounds! This artistic haven offers an extensive collection of top-notch art supplies – from high-quality paints and brushes to canvases of various sizes. Whether you're a budding painter or a seasoned artist, Olyphant has everything you need to make this school year a masterpiece of creativity.


2. Funky and Fabulous Finds at Archibald Sisters, Compass Rose, The Popinjay, and DREES

For those searching for whimsical office supplies that will transform note-taking into an enjoyable experience, Archibald Sisters, Compass Rose, The Popinjay and DREES are your go-to destinations. From playful pens and colorful notebooks to adorable desk organizers, their selection is bound to add a touch of fun and flair to your study routine.


3. Chic Threads at Belleza Ropa, Hot Toddy, Psychic Sister or G. Miller

Upgrade your wardrobe with the latest fashion trends from downtown clothing boutiques; they offer a diverse range of stylish clothing, perfect for making a statement on campus. Whether you're into vintage-inspired pieces or modern minimalism, you're sure to find unique attire that reflects your personal style.


4. Literary Magic at Browsers Bookshop

No back-to-school experience is complete without stocking up on some captivating reads. At Browsers Bookshop, you'll be spoiled for choice with an array of literature spanning various genres. Grab your required reading list or indulge in a novel that catches your eye – either way, you're in for a literary treat.


5. Greenery Galore at Underhill Plants

Add a touch of green to your study space with a trip to Underhill Plants. This charming plant shop offers an array of indoor plants and succulents that not only beautify your surroundings but also promote a calming environment, perfect for those study sessions.


6. Traditional Essentials at The Creative Office

No back-to-school shopping spree would be complete without stocking up on the essential office supplies and furniture that keep your study space organized and efficient. Luckily, Downtown Olympia has Creative Office options for all your essential office needs.


With these fantastic options and more, Downtown Olympia beckons you to embark on an unforgettable back-to-school shopping adventure. From art supplies that awaken your creativity to fashion-forward finds that help you express your individuality, this district has it all. So mark your calendars, prepare your shopping list, and get ready to dive into a world of exciting shopping possibilities that will set the tone for an incredible school year ahead!

LoveOly Presents Capital City Guitars

Explore the next episode of our LoveOly video series by clicking the image above! In this installment, we're shining a spotlight on Capital City Guitars. A big shoutout to First+Main Films for their fantastic collaboration on this project! 

Call to Artists: LoveOly Artist Spotlight

We seek local artists from Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater to showcase their existing 2D artwork in the "LoveOly Artist Spotlight" exhibition!


This exhibition celebrates art that captures the spirit of "differences without barrier" in our downtown, highlighting the LoveOly brand as a unifier of people and spaces. Your work could be featured in vacant storefronts throughout downtown Olympia, adding vibrancy and connection to our community.



If your art embodies these themes, we encourage you to apply! Learn more here:

https://bit.ly/3WJ5ce7


The current exhibition is on display at designated locations now in downtown Olympia, featuring works by Missy Maxwell, Katie Harmon and David Hoekje.

Don't Miss The Last Party of the Summer!

Get ready for the South Sound Block Party this weekend!


This two-day music festival, with a capacity of 2,500-3,500, is set to be the ultimate summer highlight and a source of pride for the local community, located at beautiful Northpoint. With more than 15 nationally touring live bands, incredible local vendors, food pop-ups, a massive beer garden, games, and more, it's an annual memory-maker you won't want to miss. Gather your friends and experience the magic of live music, great food, and summer fun in the heart of the South Sound! Buy tickets online.


And, August 23 is now known as Bikini Kill Day in Olympia! In the proclamation, the City of Olympia acknowledges Bikini Kill’s groundbreaking role in the Riot Grrrl movement and their lasting influence in empowering marginalized voices. Importantly, the City also recognizes that in the early years, they did not fully appreciate the cultural significance of the band’s message and the movement that grew from it.


Read the article here.

Celebrate Local Maritime History at Harbor Days

The Olympia Harbor Days Festival, a free event offered every Labor Day Weekend, is an award-winning free and family-friendly event that showcases many of the vintage tugboats of the Puget Sound with a walk aboard show at the docks and races in the bay. Visitors to the event may also find tall ships, steamships, other historic vessels of twentieth-century commerce, tribal canoes, and current recreational small watercraft. Harbor cruises and sailings on Budd Bay are also offered.


On land, festival attendees enjoy great food, great music, and great artisans, plus nautical and marine-themed attractions, and hands-on activities, including Olympia’s tugboat heritage, tribal history, and the working waterfront with Port of Olympia tours. All in all, here are over 300 things to do and see.


Bring your kids to this family-friendly maritime celebration and fuel their dreams of working on the water and sailing the world when they grow up. The location at Percival Landing is a well-known Pacific Northwest maritime landmark located in downtown Olympia, the WA state Capitol, and is the southernmost tip of the Puget Sound, a destination for many who travel by boat. Hotels, shops, galleries, a children’s museum, restaurants, and bars featuring locally brewed beers, wines, and distillery products are all within walking distance of the event. For more to do before or after your festival visit www.experienceolympia.com.


Friday, August 30, 2024: 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Saturday, August 31, 2024: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sunday, September 1, 2024: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Featuring a 150-drone show on August 30 (preview on August 29).


Learn more at www.harbordays.com.

Arts Walk Returns for Fall 2024 on Oct. 4 & 5!

Stay tuned for the event line-up and details on participating locations and artists, coming to the website this August!

About this Newsletter

The News of the Week in Downtown Olympia is a newsletter created by the Olympia Downtown Alliance and is a summary of happenings Downtown.


If you have news related to downtown you'd like included, please email marketing@downtownolympia.org. Preference is given to Olympia Downtown Alliance members. If we do not share it here, chances are we'll share it on our Facebook or Instagram pages. We do reserve the right to use our discretion on what we share.


The deadline is Friday at 5 pm for inclusion in the next week's newsletter.


If you know of anyone who would like to receive the News of the Week in Downtown Olympia, please have them sign-up at the bottom of our home page here: downtownolympia.org