It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Olympia, WA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Best dependable care organization”
“My experience with ABC has been very positive... we needed to change hours of coverage”
“This organization is amazing. We needed care for my dad and they provided support during”
“My name is Tracy, and I’ve been a caregiver with this company since 2017. One”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about 8 months. I couldn't be prouder”
“When searching for Elderly Care Service providers I found that Always Best Care has the”
“Loving & caring staff. Honored to know these caregivers and see them in action!”
“Great team, great clientele, available hours”
“The absolute best in home care services! Our family are so grateful for Phil, Deena”
“There is no better agency than Steve and his team. We went through 4 different”
“The greatest in home care ever!! The staff was very knowledgeable and very caring about”
“They were caring, and did a good job when we finally got the right person.”
“I felt confident that my mom was being taken care of and that she seemed”
“It takes some of the burden off of me. When I need schedule changes, such”
“The services are essential because they're always on time. I would recommend Always Best Care”
“The services have helped him the most by having no confusion about taking their pills.”
“They help with things that I can't do anymore. I like that they always have”
“I work for an assisted living community in Tacoma and often come across potential residents”
“They were proactive, nice, pleasant people. One thing I like about them is that they”
“I worked with Phil and Steve to try and find a memory care facility or”
“The agency can make my life easier by communicating more. I like this agency because”
“Best dependable care organization”
“My experience with ABC has been very positive... we needed to change hours of coverage and Eric was incredibly understanding and affected the changes exactly as requested... The care providers I've observed were very attentive to my Dad's needs...”
“This organization is amazing. We needed care for my dad and they provided support during an incredibly difficult time for our family. Silvia, Lucy and Michael were so kind and compassionate. We were able to adjust the care hours required very efficiently and had lots of support navigating these unfamiliar circumstances.”
“My name is Tracy, and I’ve been a caregiver with this company since 2017. One of the biggest reasons I’m still with this company is because the owners are very supportive and respectful to their employees. The management works well with employees schedules. The management is very dedicated to make sure all clients receive the very best care possible. I cannot recommend this company enough to work for!!”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about 8 months. I couldn't be prouder to represent this company . It's so great to work in an environment where the members of the team have a strong sense of camaraderie and a great work ethic. It's important to me to be able to trust my team members to always do their best because I do.”
“When searching for Elderly Care Service providers I found that Always Best Care has the passion to support the growing community of elders.”
“Loving & caring staff. Honored to know these caregivers and see them in action!”
“Great team, great clientele, available hours”
“The absolute best in home care services! Our family are so grateful for Phil, Deena and their entire home care team! We could not have cared for our mother at home without them!”
“There is no better agency than Steve and his team. We went through 4 different agencies until we found them and have thanked our lucky stars. Reliable, educated and experienced. They have our family’s best interest and heart in mind.”
“The greatest in home care ever!! The staff was very knowledgeable and very caring about our needs.”
“They were caring, and did a good job when we finally got the right person. They were caring, efficient and they did a good job.”
“I felt confident that my mom was being taken care of and that she seemed happy with the caregivers. As far as her life she was well fed, her physical hygiene was taken care of, and she had company. I'd recommend them because the caregivers were well trained and they showed a lot of care for my mother and they also kept the family informed.”
“It takes some of the burden off of me. When I need schedule changes, such as today with an early morning doctor's appointment, they easily change the schedule when we need. I already have. I like that they come and check and find out what our goals are, as well as working with the provider that comes to our home. They are well coordinated.”
“The services are essential because they're always on time. I would recommend Always Best Care because I like the people who they send. They're just outstanding.”
“The services have helped him the most by having no confusion about taking their pills. I want them to follow-up more often.”
“They help with things that I can't do anymore. I like that they always have someone for you.”
“I work for an assisted living community in Tacoma and often come across potential residents and their family members who use Always Best Care for in-home caregiving, as well as senior advising to find long term care placement. Phil and Steve are fantastic care partners, and great advocates for seniors in our area!”
“They were proactive, nice, pleasant people. One thing I like about them is that they are very nice and professional, easy to work with.”
“I worked with Phil and Steve to try and find a memory care facility or possibly an adult family home for my mom who was in late stage Altzheimers disease. They were both so caring, empathetic, understanding and patient with us during the most difficult time for our family. Ultimately we were unable to move mom, but I never felt any frustration or impatience from them, only the utmost care and concern. I would recommend this place to anyone trying to find a care facility or home for a loved one.”
“The agency can make my life easier by communicating more. I like this agency because they are prompt.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Olympia, WA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Olympia, WA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Olympia, WA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Ahead of the July 4 holiday, it is important to understand how to properly set off and dispose of fireworks to enjoy a safe celebration.And for those looking to celebrate July 4 with fireworks but without the clean-up, there will be family-friendly community fireworks displays in Lacey and Tumwater.The purchase, sale and use of personal fireworks is prohibited within the city limits of Olympia, Lacey and Tu...
Ahead of the July 4 holiday, it is important to understand how to properly set off and dispose of fireworks to enjoy a safe celebration.
And for those looking to celebrate July 4 with fireworks but without the clean-up, there will be family-friendly community fireworks displays in Lacey and Tumwater.
The purchase, sale and use of personal fireworks is prohibited within the city limits of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, but their use is permitted in unincorporated Thurston County on July 3 and July 4 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
In Washington state, fireworks are prohibited in parks, on federal land, on public property such as school yards, on private property without permission and onto public property from private property. Be sure to check regulations in your area before buying, selling or setting off fireworks.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends taking the following precautions to ensure safe disposal of personal fireworks:
For a chance to watch fireworks in Thurston County, check out these free, family-friendly events in Lacey and Tumwater.
The Lacey Fireworks Spectacular will take place on July 3 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m at Rainier Vista Park located at 5475 45th Ave SE, Lacey. The fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m.
In Tumwater, the Tumwater Family Festival & Nisqually Red Wind Casino Fireworks Show will take place on July 4 starting at 6 p.m. at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course located at 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE, Tumwater. The fireworks show will begin at 10:15 p.m.
While the event is free to enter, parking is $10 per vehicle to be paid in cash only. Proceeds will benefit the Thurston County Special Olympics.
The fast-food chicken sandwich business Chick-fil-A has submitted plans for a third location in the Olympia area, the city of Olympia announced on Monday.The chain already has a location in Lacey on Marvin Road, and the business is building a second site in west Olympia at Cooper Point Road and Capital Mall Drive.The third site, which is proposed to have dual drive-throughs, would be at 4505 Martin Way E., the site of a “previous Red Lobster,” the city information reads. However, Red Lobster is still open at the sit...
The fast-food chicken sandwich business Chick-fil-A has submitted plans for a third location in the Olympia area, the city of Olympia announced on Monday.
The chain already has a location in Lacey on Marvin Road, and the business is building a second site in west Olympia at Cooper Point Road and Capital Mall Drive.
The third site, which is proposed to have dual drive-throughs, would be at 4505 Martin Way E., the site of a “previous Red Lobster,” the city information reads. However, Red Lobster is still open at the site.
Still, the plan is to ultimately demolish the Red Lobster building and build a new Chick-fil-A on the site, lead planner Casey Mauck said Monday. A timeline for when that would happen isn’t known, she said.
The Olympian has reached out to Red Lobster for more information.
Chick-fil-A is a popular restaurant, but also a business that has generated some controversy here. Nationwide controversy surrounding the chain revolves around its past charitable donations to organizations perceived as anti-LGBTQ+, coupled with statements made by a former CEO opposing same-sex marriage.
Residents were unhappy when the business sponsored a Children’s Day event in Lacey, and the west Olympia site displaced a restaurant called Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse that later moved to another site on Cooper Point Road.
A city-hosted neighborhood meeting about the second proposed site also attracted some angry comments.
There is a comment period for Chick-fil-A’s newest proposal. Send comments by 5 p.m. July 14 to lead planner Casey Mauck at [email protected].
It’s nice to take a day and celebrate the moms and mother figures in our lives who have given us so much. You can find all sorts of activities and of course, brunches for Mother’s Day in Thurston County. Whether you want to take them to a festival or sip mimosas, we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of Mother’s Day brunches and events near Olympia and throughout Thurston County.Mother’s Day Spa Cloths WeavingApril 29-302101 4th Avenue E. #103, Olympia360.915.6943...
It’s nice to take a day and celebrate the moms and mother figures in our lives who have given us so much. You can find all sorts of activities and of course, brunches for Mother’s Day in Thurston County. Whether you want to take them to a festival or sip mimosas, we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of Mother’s Day brunches and events near Olympia and throughout Thurston County.
April 29-302101 4th Avenue E. #103, Olympia360.915.6943
Our Local Yarn Shop is hosting a workshop on how to weave spa cloths for Mother’s Day gifts! Bring your own loom or use one of theirs. Joan Hoffmeyer will be teaching the class using Cascade Yarns Nifty Cotton. You supply the yarn, available in the shop, and ask for your 10% discount!
May 2, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.430 Washington Street SE, Olympia
Spend an evening with mom at Rumors Wine Bar enjoying wine and sweet and savory bites (for purchase) while learning about wills, trusts, securing guardians for children, minimizing taxes, and strategies to keep your family out of court and conflict. Event is free, but you must reserve a ticket through Eventbrite.
May 8, 5 p.m.825 Lilly Road NE, Olympia
The Sequoia Assisted Living invites friends and family to enjoy a dinner with mom! Feast on coconut shrimp, lemon chicken pasta salad, focaccia bread and a spring favorite, strawberry shortcake! Call 360.999.5460 or email [email protected] for more information.
May 10-11, 2 p.m.512 Washington Street SE, Olympia
See “The Sleeping Beauty” at it was originally meant to be–as a ballet! If you didn’t know, Disney used the music from the ballet written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for its animated film. See the original with Mom as a wonderful Mother’s Day event! Learn more about the production and get tickets on the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website or by calling the box office at 360.753.8586.
May 10-11, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.3330 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia
Kristen Rubis of Sacred Yoga and Sound Healing is leading this “My Body My Power” retreat for moms and daughters. There will be art, meditation, breathing exercises, positive affirmations and more. Aunts, caregivers, etc. are all welcome. You will even get to make your own bath salts. Learn more on Facebook.
May 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.406 5th Street, Olympia360.628.8653
1889 Prime Steakhouse is having a Mother’s Day Brunch that includes all your favorite brunch menu items including an incredible benedict with steak tips and Dungeness crab, brioche French toast and more. Be sure to make reservations by calling the number above.
May 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.Indian Summer Golf & Country Club5900 Troon Lane SE, Olympia
Indian Summer Golf & Country Club is having a traditional Mother’s Day brunch on Mother’s Day. The buffet-style Mother’s Day brunch includes eggs benedict, fresh seafood, carved beef and bottomless mimosas for just $7/person. Call 360.459.4572 or email [email protected] to make your reservation!
May 11Budd Bay Café525 Columbia Street NW, Olympia360.357.6963
Budd Bay Café will also be having a Mother’s Day Brunch with a large menu including London broil, wasabi salmon, scampi-style steamer clams, French toast, cheesecake, shrimp cocktails to name just a few delectables waiting for you! Call the number above for questions and reservations.
May 10-May 11Percival Landing Park217 Thurston Ave NW, Olympia
The Olympia Wooden Boat Fair is a free event that happens on Mother’s Day weekend every year. Enjoy wooden boats on display, activities for kids, vendors, food alley and live music! On Sunday there are paint and sip experiences.
The Tumwater Trading Post, a new convenience store and fuel station opened by the Squaxin Island Tribe, is a popular addition to the growing Tumwater community. It also serves to strengthen the Tribe’s commitment to economic resilience and cultural care. The property is situated on tribal land.
On February 28, 2025, the Tribe hosted a private blessing ceremony attended by the Tribal Council, Island Enterprises Board, and members of the Squaxin Island community. Participants gathered in prayer and song to set positive intentions for all who will work, visit and gather at the new store.
For generations, the Squaxin people have maintained deep connections to this land, relying on its resources and relationships to sustain their way of life. “This land has always been a part of us. Our ancestors gathered here between the Deschutes and Black Rivers to trade, build alliances, and care for the land that sustained us all,” shares Aleta Poste, chairwoman of the Island Enterprises Board of Directors. “This store is more than a business. It is a reaffirmation of Squaxin’s deep roots in this region.”
As Tumwater grows, the Trading Post plays a key role in ensuring essential services reach the expanding community. “We were the first economists of this region, and we carry that forward today,” says Kris Peters, chairman of the Squaxin Island Tribe. “This store represents more than just growth—it’s an investment in our people and a testament to our ability to build a thriving, resilient economy. We are grateful for the workers who make this possible and welcome them as part of our Squaxin family.”
Balancing economic growth with stewardship the Squaxin Island Tribe’s dedication to care extends beyond business. It’s woven into every aspect of their work, including leadership in the Deschutes Estuary restoration project, which aims to restore natural tidal flow and protect vital ecosystems. By investing in both environmental responsibility and economic development, the Tribe ensures the land continues to sustain future generations while also fostering long-term well-being.
For Isaiah Coley, Tumwater Trading Post’s store manager, the store’s opening is deeply personal. “This store means so much to me—not only because my mother dedicated 16 years to the Trading Post, but because it continues to serve as a place where people feel welcome, supported, and connected,” says Coley, adding, “I am honored to carry forward her legacy and ensure this remains a space where people feel valued and supported.” The Tribe welcomes the community to visit Tumwater Trading Post—not just to shop, but to experience a business rooted in culture, responsibility, and shared well-being.
“We deeply value our partnership with the City of Tumwater, and we take pride in being good neighbors,” according to Brandi Peters, marketing director. Other tribal economic development projects include the following:
“I’m proud to be here,” says Matthew Olson, Trading post deli manager. He is enjoying the local, family traffic including students who pop in before and after school. “Picnic tables are coming,” he says and indicates plenty of room on one side of the parking lot, which also has space room for future fundraising car washes by local groups.
Matthew is having fun in the kitchen with the initial offerings. Take home chicken and joe’s or pizza. The honey baked biscuits will melt in your mouth. Smashables are popular. It’s a bowl of smashed red potatoes topped with cheese, corn, gravy and fried chicken. Plans are underway to add a grill along with more ready-to-serve foods.
You will find ample choices of expected items including snacks, chips, jerky, candy and soft drinks. Beer, wine and spirits are on the shelves as well as a walk-in beer cooler. Coffee is brewing next to the deli. There are collections of health aids, car essentials, batteries and other sundries. Two electric stations are in process outside.
When you join the tribal loyalty club you will receive four cents off on each gallon of gas. When you buy items, you’ll collect points that can be redeemed for products within the store. There is no cost to join.
Friday, May 23, 2025, is the official grand opening. Gas will be 25 cents off, vendors will be on hand, and it should be fun to stop by and check it out. For the tribe, this is more than just a business but a place that strengthens local partnerships, creates jobs, and reinvests in vital Tribal programs.
Tumwater Trading Post
7000 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater360.462.6022
Listen closely next time you’re in downtown Olympia. You might be able to hear a strange sound like quacking, barking, chirping and screeching all at once.That’s the sound of the great blue heron, a wetland bird native to the Pacific Northwest. The downtown heronry, or nesting colony, is back. Perched high in the trees next to the Fish and Wildlife building and across from Percival Plaza, a small kingdom of nests have formed among the branches.Great blue herons are easily recognizable by their long beaks and slender...
Listen closely next time you’re in downtown Olympia. You might be able to hear a strange sound like quacking, barking, chirping and screeching all at once.
That’s the sound of the great blue heron, a wetland bird native to the Pacific Northwest. The downtown heronry, or nesting colony, is back. Perched high in the trees next to the Fish and Wildlife building and across from Percival Plaza, a small kingdom of nests have formed among the branches.
Great blue herons are easily recognizable by their long beaks and slender necks, but now that hatching season is here, chances are you might be able to spot their chicks too.
“If they haven’t started hatching yet, they will in very short order, but chicks might not be visible to people until they get to be about three weeks old,” said Allison Anholt, the species lead biologist for colonial waterbirds at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Anholt said heron chicks are typically the same size as chicken chicks when they hatch, but they mature to the size of adults before fledging, or leaving the nest. This process can take between 65 to 90 days, but before then, chicks might be spied in their nests.
“They’ll start poking their heads up, usually late afternoon, early evening. There’s a lot of feeding activity, so you’ll start to see little crowns of downy feathers pop up,” said species data management biologist Gretchen Blatz.
And you’ll know when it’s feeding time. Great blue herons are notorious for making a lot of noise. Experts have yet to determine what specific calls might indicate.
“Some we do recognize, things like specific chick calls, which are ones that the parents make to the chicks,” Anholt said. “... But now there are some studies around bird vocalizations that are saying that their language is a lot more complex than that.”
Herons live in colonies, so they are a social species in constant communication with one another. Anholt said scientists are able to record different bird calls and map them on a screen, but researchers haven’t started to examine heron calls in particular.
If you’re hoping to see or hear the herons, sunset is the perfect time to catch them returning to their nests to roost.
“In the morning, they sort of trickle out, and it might be tidally dependent, but in the evening, the sunset will bring them all in,” Blatz said.
Many bird species like to avoid people when selecting their homes, but inhabitants of the downtown heronry seem to have no problem with the hustle of human life.
“You think that humans would keep them away, and humans, the presence of too many people, does keep some birds from nesting in a particular spot, but great blue herons seem to be pretty adaptive to people, or even benefiting from it…” Anholt said.
Because the trees they have nested in are close to water and offer protection from herons’ main predators, the downtown heronry has been able to sustain itself.
“They want an area that’s protected from land predators like raccoons, so that will either be on islands or on manmade islands, or something that has a lot of busy roads and highways they can’t get to,” Anholt said.
Herons are smart about avoiding predators from below, but they are also wary of predators from above.
Anholt added, “They want enough leaf cover or needle cover above to protect from aerial predators like hawks and eagles.”
Heronries tend to remain in one spot for several years in a row unless they face external pressures or disturbance that will prompt them to move. Some herons like to migrate to warmer climates in the wintertime, but primary causes of “colony collapse,” when an entire colony disbands, are when food becomes scarce, predators find easy access to nests, or damage from nesting too long in one spot makes trees unsuitable, Anholt said.
Because the great blue heron are a wetland species, they can help scientists track trends in shoreline health, but not all changes in the heron population directly correlate.
“Sometimes they might be doing poorly in a given year, and that can tell us something about the health of the shoreline, but it doesn’t tell us a lot about the long-term health of the shoreline, because it can just vary a lot,” Anholt said. “... Say, a family of raccoons has really learned about a colony. That’ll cause them to get up and leave and go to another spot, but that doesn’t mean that the health of the shoreline is necessarily bad.”
Long-term studies can provide the most accurate glimpse into how wetland species are holding up along the coast, but Fish and Wildlife have not performed targeted surveys of the heron population recently, which is great news for the great blue heron.
“Great blue herons are actually sort of increasing in number, or at least they’re staying stable. And we have to put a lot of our attention and focus on species that are not doing so well. … So it’s good news that we don’t have exact, robust data for all of our birds. It means that there’s a lot of them out there,” Anholt said.
This has not always been the case. During the early 1900s, it was fashionable for women to wear heron feathers on hats, so the millinery trade contributed to a sharp decline in the heron population.
Anholt said, “A group of women got together and formed the precursor of the Audubon Society. … And then also, the National Wildlife Refuge system was established at first because of the heron population.”
Thanks to decades of conservation efforts and legislation such as the Migratory Birds Treaty Act which prevents the “taking” or hunting of species like heron, heron populations have recovered to a stable level.
Today, the downtown heronry is a great spot to observe and take photos, but Anholt warns, “In general, if you see a bird start to change their behavior, you think, based on you, then you should try to back off.”
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