The vibrant, welcoming core of downtown Olympia awaits your visit. It’s time to get better acquainted. These business owners in the historic core offer services and products that make Olympia a unique place to live and visit. A perfect example is the old hardware building located at 109 Capitol Way N, between State Street and 4th Avenue. Within this building, which includes 111 Capitol Way N, are five small businesses, all women-owned. Anchored by Ossa Skinworks, the talented group includes Stardust Salon, Knuckle Sandwich Nail Bar, Velvet and Shag and Lucy Gentry, Artist.
Ossa Skinworks
You’ll be energized to meet Monique Ossa, owner of Ossa Skinworks and co-owner of the building with Andrea Griffith, who owns Browers, an independent and long favorite bookstore that’s right next door. Monique has created a soothing day spa for traditional and aesthetic services. As a master esthetician and scientist, she brings her expertise to treating your skin with care and precision. Her certifications allow her to perform various peels, dermaplaning and nano needling along with other skin-related services.
Monique is on the board of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts and works with the City of Olympia’s Parking & Beautification Improvement Area (PBIA). She loves the food, the energy and the other businesses that operate not only in her building, but all around the neighborhood. Ossa Skinworks allows Monique to express her artistic, inclusive and thoughtful values to the forefront in her work and in the building.
Velvet & Shag
Up the steps in the Ossa loft you’ll meet Julie Childers, owner of Velvet & Shag. She’s a civil engineer who loves interior design and rugs. When the pandemic shook up her work life, her side gig with selling rugs grew more robust. Julie initially used the loft as a pop-up space and ended up moving in to have the ability to show more wares. She offers high quality, handmade vintage rugs from Turkey and Morocco and exceptional home décor, some of which you can see in her space, though you can do more shopping online. There are also pet food mats, candles and other gift items.
“I feel so lucky to work in the building. It feels like a gallery, and I am selling art, all one of a kind and handmade,” she says. All rugs are cleaned, repaired and ready to move into your home or office.
Lucy Gentry, Artist
Lucy lives a life of art, viewing art as a way to raise awareness and enact social change. She taught at Brown University and The Evergreen State College. She also was in costume design for years having spent time with Harlequin Productions (12 shows, 17 seasons), Seattle Opera, Seattle Rep and others. Her well-lit space is above and behind Ossa. It’s a place for painting, holding art shows and gives Lucy a space to do her multi-media arts.
Being downtown is where Lucy likes to spend time. She is on the board at Olympia Artspace Alliance. You can find some of her work at Childhood’s End Gallery and at times on exhibit in other locations. Lucy set up the art on the walls in Ossa, bringing a gallery-like feel. She also fashioned the centerpiece in Ossa’s front window. It’s a larger-than-life dress fashioned from razor clams and weighs over 300 pounds. It’s gorgeous.
Stardust Salon
Right next door is Stardust Salon. Emily Trujillo and Jessica Frank are the salon owners and operators. Like the Ossa space, the walls are warm, exposed bricks that reach to the tall ceilings. Their space is also filled with intentional art, with a dedicated space to highlight a local artist. “It’s a place people can come to see art and be part of the community,” says Emily. “We support artists and arts walk. I love it downtown.” Of course, you also go there to get your hair treated, pampered and styled.
There are seven workstations. Stardust has a range of services from trims to colors and emphasize giving the best service to everyone. Plus, there are drinks and snacks. If you have an appointment on Friday, you get to listen to actual vinyl! And be sure to check out the David Bowie bathroom. Jessica and Emily earnestly delight in serving their clients with care and respect.
Knuckle Sandwich Nail Bar
These days nails are a canvas for miniature art, expressed with colorful, ethnic and amazing possibilities. Tracy Wilson leads her team of nail artists. Their creations go far beyond a coat of Holiday Red, but that is also possible. Now people arrive with their images and ideas on their phones, and Knuckle Sandwich takes it from there. There’s a separate loft space for dry pedicures, which not only reduce the risk of waterborne pathogens but treats your feet more gently for more lasting results.
Visit Downtown Olympia
Our historic downtown offers personal care services, restaurants, coffee, vintage clothes, jewelry, home décor and much more. Come to see for yourself. These small businesses owners are ready and open to serve you! Parking downtown is metered, and it is free after 5 p.m. and on weekends.
