Our region is crowded with absolutely sparkling food talent. We feel extra lucky that we’ve had an opportunity to help infuse some of the food spaces they’ve opened with the kinds of tenant improvements that make these restaurants and shops not only workable but full of aesthetics that reflect the personality and artistry of each business.
Commercial tenant improvement projects are important investments for local businesses. Making beautiful food is only part of the picture; a space that’s welcoming and that encourages people to stay will help a business succeed.
Today, we share our design approaches for some of our favorite food & drink tenant improvements, along with our staff’s favorite go-to menu items from each.
Check out these gorgeous spaces. And if you’re in the South Sound region of Washington State, check out their food and drinks, too!
Olympia Coffee Roasting Company
We’ve had the good fortune to design all six of this award-winning coffee roaster’s brick-and-mortar locations in Washington State, including their headquarters and other locations in Olympia, Columbia City, Tacoma, and Seattle.
At each location, we tried to embody the spirit of the neighborhood and create memorable elements, with an artisanal touch.
Cafés are integral “third places” in communities. At their best, they’re places to gather, study, work, contemplate life. They’re also a place to get energized or unwind. We like a relaxed, approachable atmosphere to create the kinds of spaces that people love to experience.
Some of our favorite features at the Olympia Coffee locations we’ve designed include:
- Wood tiles and wall panels with a repeated geometric motif at the downtown Olympia roastery.
- Italian porcelain tile at the Wildwood location in Olympia.
- Custom light-and-shelf combination at the new Seattle Cedar Hall location, designed to match existing elements in the space and the feeling of the original building.
- Patterned floor tile and metal kick plate at the Tacoma location.
- Sleek light fixtures and custom wall paneling at the Columbia City location.
If you check out these locations, try some of our staff favorite drinks and snacks. (They sell delicious goods from a dedicated bakery, too!)
We love to order:
- Vanilla americano
- Ethiopian pour-over
- Scallion pull-aparts
- Lavender latte
- Vanilla chai
- Haupia latte (seasonal drink)
Dos Hermanos
This family-owned spot started as a food truck and soon gained a following for their scratch-made corn tortillas (they’re made from Oregon-sourced corn flour) and their handed-down-through-generations recipes.
Located inside the 222 Market, Olympia’s artisanal market on Capitol Way, Dos Hermanos features a large custom mural, created by a local artist, as the focal point. Bright teal tiles at the bar paired with wood tones make the space feel vibrant and inviting.
We love to order:
- Nachos with carnitas
- Fresh lime margaritas
- Pork carnitas tacos
Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar
This local (ahem) gem is one of the anchor businesses in the 222 Market and is named for the owners’ shellfish farm, which supplies many of the oysters, mussels, and clams on the menu. Chelsea’s sister-brother team leads the shellfish operation as second-generation farmers and their Chelsea Gem oyster is revered by fresh oyster enthusiasts across the country.
The plush, vertical-tufted, blue velvet banquette booths are nestled beneath large windows. Each wraps customers around cozy tables, making it the perfect environment for special occasions or a simple, refined dinner out. Chandeliers — including custom fixtures made from oyster shells — make the space feel luxe and reflect the refined nature of the menu.
We love to order:
- Raw Chelsea Gems
- Scallops — these will melt in your mouth!
Sophie’s Scoops Gelateria
Olympia’s Italian-style gelato spot is the real deal. They get their milk and cream from a local farm, pasteurize it in-house, and serve a stable of favorite flavors as well as a rotating menu of seasonal flavors based on ingredients grown by farms in the area.
For their second location, at the Westman Mill Apartments, we highlighted the business’s buoyant personality with pinks, oranges, creams, bright floral wallpaper, and colorful pendants. Together, they create a sweet space reminiscent of the Sophie's Scoops brand and the softness, whimsy, and joy embodied by their gelato.
In this location, it was important to them to create an Instagrammable moment — a picturesque spot where visitors can grab a photo that’s perfect for sharing online. The one we created is a bench seat covered with a soffit that houses fun pink and yellow pendants and frames in the wallpaper, a delightful background to help you celebrate your dessert.
We love to order:
- Raspberry sorbet
- Cardamom gelato
- Olympia fog
Howdy Bagel
Howdy Bagel (Fresh Bagels, Hot Coffee, Kind People) is a gorgeous spot that makes “Tacoma-style bagels” for the people. We designed their space to be like the founders and their crew: big-hearted, cheerful, and welcoming.
The shop has a bright teal exterior, jade green handmade terracotta tile, custom peach wallpaper with a custom-branded decal, fluted white glass globe lights, integrated cinder blocks painted white, and a re-used window to peer into the back kitchen.
All of these elements speak to their branding but also their love of antiquities, the beauty of found objects, and their love for eclectic spaces. We didn't want anything to look too refined or unapproachable; we wanted it to be colorful, welcoming, and representative of the acceptance they extend to all their customers. We created a lot of room for their decor, places they could fill with their plants, merch, and favorite objects, contributing to the eclectic, “found” nature of the space.
We love to order:
- Pastrami breakfast sammy
- Lox sandwich
- English breakfast
- Avocado toast
Posted on October 01, 2024
