Dominic LaPraim and his wife, Jacqueline Johnston, are used to tackling construction projects together—he as an electrician and she as an architectural designer—but breathing new life into Olympia’s historic Greyhound bus station is the biggest project the pair have tackled yet.

LaPraim and Johnston plan to open The Bus Stop at 107 Seventh Ave. SE in just a few weeks. The renovated space will include an open-air food truck area with areas for gaming, a taproom and bar with seating and private areas, and LaPraim’s business, Homestreet Electric, while honoring the building’s long history.

A soft opening is planned for August 22nd.

Construction history

According to the Olympia Historical Society, North Coast Lines built the Art Deco building across from Sylvester Park in 1937. The company was a subsidiary of Puget Sound Power and Light, which provided electric and motorized transportation along the coast.

With the completion of Highway 99 (now Capitol Way and Fourth Avenue), the corner became a major transportation hub. For many years, Greyhound Bus Lines was based here. More recently, it housed a COVID-19 testing facility.

The building is located in the National Downtown Historic District but is not individually registered.

A new venture

Johnston said she and her husband didn’t originally plan to get into the restaurant business. The two have bought homes to renovate and resell, but they’ve never taken on a commercial project this large.

But LaPraim was looking for space for his electrical business, and he knew the Greyhound building and its previous owner well.

“I grew up in this area and took the bus here as a young man. It was really strange for me to be left alone in such a large area and to see it in this condition, in this part of our neighborhood,” LaPraim said. “It was sad, and to have some light brought back into it is really cool. We really hope to bring this part of Olympia back and really help the community.”

Johnston said when they first toured the building for LaPraim’s electrical business, they realized how big it was and decided to split it into two concepts. The previous building owner fell in love with the idea of ​​creating The Bus Stop, and the couple were spurred on by friends to make it happen.

LaPraim said when they moved into the building in January, it was broken and abandoned. It was shortly after asbestos abatement and every surface was covered in a thin white layer. There were cracks and graffiti on the walls and the floor was uneven.

“It just looked like an abandoned building. That was scary, and you knew when you looked at it that it was a big project and there was a lot to do that was beyond most people’s capabilities,” he said. “When I look at things and appreciate them, I just have a way of seeing what they can be. And that building has always really excited me.”

Casual yet elegant

The building has been repainted white with grey and black details and it’s hard to miss the large, open garage with a food truck behind the seating. As you enter, you’ll notice vertically grooved wood details and orange leather chairs and stools.

The couple decided to keep the original bar in the building. LaPraim said it just needed to be coated in epoxy and the stools reupholstered.

A mural of downtown Olympia hangs on the front wall, and skylights lead to a large room in the back that can be rented for parties and other more private events. Johnston said she plans to hang plants in the skylights to fill the space and bring it even more life.

“I think it has a chic, fun, old-school vibe,” Johnston said. “But the way the food is going to be, the experience is going to be casual, even though the environment is pretty fancy.”

LaPraim said they wanted the space to be a place where the community could come together and families would have a casual place to eat.

“I mean, this building has just been waiting for something, and we feel like what we’re giving it is exactly what it should be,” LaPraim said.

Johnston said the original plan only called for a taproom and outdoor food trucks, not a full-fledged bar and restaurant. But in order to allow people under 21 inside, the couple needed to offer more food options to get a liquor license.

Inside, guests can order flatbread pizza, desserts and salads, as well as drinks from a full bar with 16 taps, draft root beer and mocktails. Johnston said she would like to offer a top-selling beer from each local brewery and give people a small selection of the Olympia flavors.

Outside in the food court will be the Greyhound Grill, offering shish kebabs, burgers, wraps, tacos and sandwiches. Johnston said her mother will operate the food truck.

Lava Bowlz, an açaí shop based in Lacey, will also set up a food truck in the garage bay.

The garage bay provides ample outdoor seating that is protected from the elements and can be used year round.

Johnston said she envisions there would be enough space for game nights, such as trivia and karaoke events. She said they could even set up ping pong tables and cornhole boards outside.

A connection to the city centre

Johnston said she thinks The Bus Stop’s location is special because it acts as a connector between the Capitol campus and downtown. Instead of walking past a row of vacant buildings, people can stop by for a snack and learn more about what the city has to offer.

LaPraim said the building has faced a number of challenges even in the months the couple has owned it, from vandalism to break-ins and looting. But the couple is confident that with more foot traffic in and out of the open businesses in the area and through Sylvester Park, the less-welcome activity will subside.

The two are still trying to find parking options other than on the street. There is parking in the alley for employees, and they hope to partner with a neighboring business to take over their parking lot after hours and on weekends.

More finishing touches need to be done before the official opening. Johnston said the tent-like structure above the entrance will be fitted with LED lights and new panelling.

The entrance will be partially roped off and flanked by additional outdoor seating. The garage door will be replaced with a folding door and Johnston plans to plant greenery throughout the property.

Johnston said she hopes The Bus Stop will help transform Olympia into a destination on par with Seattle.

“I think (Olympia) is really underrated. I want to be known as a really cool place or destination that tourists want to come to and not just Seattle,” Johnston said. “I want them to say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re going to Olympia.’ There’s just a lot of cool stuff here.”