Business | The Daily Chronicle

Kelsey Buchanan is pictured between two bottle of Kelsey Gins.

Olympia Distilling Co. honors the late Kelsey Buchanan ahead of Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, Olympia Distilling Co. is honoring Kelsey Buchanan, a young wife and mother of three, and the guiding light behind Olympia Distilling Co.’s most personal creation: … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/7/25

'Not a forever status quo': Southwest Washington braces for tariffs

Leaders of two organizations that work closely with businesses in Cowlitz and other nearby counties say local companies are finding it difficult to plan in a rapidly changing business environment. … more

Nick Morgan / The Daily News | 5/7/25

Nerd Pros owner Marcus Read talks with customers during his new card shop's grand opening on Saturday, May 3, in downtown Morton.

In focus: Nerd Pros celebrates grand opening in downtown Morton

Nerd Pros celebrated its grand opening in downtown Morton on Saturday. Nerd Pros is owned by retired pastor Marcus Read, who, together with his wife, Alissa Read, opened the new … more

5/5/25

Let’s Play Something is pictured in downtown Centralia on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Let’s Play Something starts online crowdfunding campaign to finance toy store expansion

Fresh off the celebration of Let’s Play Something’s fourth anniversary at its current location in downtown Centralia — and 15th anniversary of being in business — the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/5/25

Touring land that has been in her Tenino family for generations Colvin Ranch owner Jennifer Colvin along with Bill Kronland, Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, speak to the environmental benefits to the conservation grazing method to land stewardship.

Grazing cattle are helping conserve this Tenino area prairie that’s open to the public

The Colvin family has raised cattle on land just outside Tenino for generations, but recently the cattle have not been confined to the family’s ranch on Old Highway 99. Visitors to the … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/5/25

The Lewis County Health Building in Chehalis on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Food Establishment Inspection Scores: From the Lewis County Public Health Department

Editor’s Note: These are reports from health inspections in Lewis County between December 2023 and March of this year. Lewis County Public Health’s inspections happen at various … more

5/2/25

Owner Vincent Bakich poses for a photo in his store Pioneer West Garden & Pet Center located at the Centralia Outlets on Friday, May 2.

Pioneer West: Business refocuses on pet food and supplies after moving to Centralia Outlets

A Centralia staple originally founded in 1927 as Pioneer Feed and Seed, Pioneer West Garden and Pet Center recently relocated from its old location on North Tower Avenue in downtown Centralia to the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/2/25

Owners Julie and Dave Pendleton stand outside Dick’s Sandwich Shop.

Dick’s Brewing Co. to celebrate opening of new food truck — Dick’s Sandwich Shop

Dick’s Brewing Company will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of its new food truck, Dick’s Sandwich Shop. The ceremony starts at 3 p.m. Friday, May 9, and takes place at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/30/25

Nerd Pros owner Marcus Read stands behind the counter of his new trading card game and collectable store in downtown Morton on Monday, April 28.

Nerd Pros: Retired pastor to open new trading card game and collectables shop in downtown Morton

Whether you’re looking for that rare chase card from collectable sets such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering or Star Wars, for a new Warhammer model to build and paint, or you just want … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/30/25

Passengers enjoy brunch aboard a train at the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum Depot in this photo provided by the railroad.

Mother’s Day rides set for the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum (CCRM) will hold two Mother’s Day events on Saturday, May 10. The first is an 11 a.m. Mother’s Day Brunch and Ride that will be catered by … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/25

Market Street Ace Hardware to celebrate new greenhouse in Chehalis

Market Street Ace Hardware is preparing to celebrate the grand opening of its highly anticipated new greenhouse and recent interior upgrades with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/25

Customers and vendors are seen from above during the Country Chicks Spring Market at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in April 2022.

Country Chicks Spring Market returns with 125 vendors Mother’s Day weekend

The Country Chicks Spring Market is back for its 18th year, as 125 vendors will offer vintage, upcycled and handcrafted items Mother’s Day weekend at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/25/25

At an April 23 interview, Greg Vander Kamp, vice president of development for BrightNight, describes the location of the Thurston County proposal as consultant Austin Hicks and development communications manager Yasmine Kattan listen.

Energy storage business coming to South Thurston County

BrightNight LLC, a Florida-based business that earlier this year pitched a battery energy storage facility in south Thurston County, intends to follow through on that proposal, representatives of the … more

By Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 4/25/25

Exodus Electric first opened in 2022 after owner Jeff Olson decided to leave his job as an electrician and start his own electrical business after getting his administrator’s license.

Exodus Electric set to celebrate new location in Chehalis May 1

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Exodus Electric in celebration of its new location in Chehalis at noon Thursday, May 1. The ceremony will be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/25/25

Tulips bloom near the lake at Silver Lake Resort.

Silver Lake Resort receives green designation from outdoor hospitality group

A green resort in Silver Lake is celebrating Earth Day this month and every month. Silver Lake Resort, at 3201 Spirit Lake Hwy., reports it recently received a Outdoor Hospitality Industries … more

The Daily News | 4/25/25

From the left, Washington Orthopaedic Center surgeons Lucas Harvey, Keith Birchard, Chad Bender and Joseph Brown pose for a photo during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated office in Centralia on Wednesday, April 23. The office experienced flooding in January requiring the entire first floor to be rebuilt.

In focus: Washington Orthopaedic Center celebrates renovated office in Centralia

4/25/25

Lewis County unemployment rate fell to 5.7% in March

In March, unemployment throughout Washington state rose slightly to 4.4%, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD). The agency reported Lewis County had a 5.7% … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/23/25

The owners of the Mead Family Market Katie Mead, left, Rick Mead, center, and Rikki Mead, pose for a photo inside the family business on Saturday, April 19, in Glenoma.

Mead Family Market: Morton mayor and his daughters running Glenoma grocery and feed store

While The Chronicle just missed seeing the Mead Family Market’s “legendary Bunny Bigfoot” at the business’s inaugural Bunny Bash Easter egg hunt on Saturday, Rick Mead and his … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/21/25

Tatyana Yocom, owner of PNW DooDoo Crew, cuts the ribbon alongside her husband, left, and Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum on Friday afternoon at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis.

PNW DooDoo Crew cuts the ribbon in Chehalis

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the PNW DooDoo Crew on Friday afternoon at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis. PNW DooDoo Crew is a pet waste removal … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/21/25

From the left, Hailee Quinby, Crystal Cooper, Maleah Wink, Dustin Overby, Courtney Quinby, Carrie Bauer, Jeff Hawkins and Gayle Roberts pose for a photo at the Centralia Pharmacy with the new vial-filling robot, the Parata Max 2, on Thursday, April 17.

Centralia Pharmacy introduces newest team member — a robot

Centralia Pharmacy’s newest helper is streamlining the store’s operations and maximizing efficiency at unhuman levels. That’s because it is not human. The pharmacy … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 4/18/25