News of the Week in Downtown Olympia!

March 31, 2026

Underhill Plants has been a staple for plant-lovers in Downtown Olympia for over 6 years.

Member Spotlight: Underhill Plants, A Specialty Houseplant Store Rooted in Downtown Olympia

At Underhill Plants, plants aren’t just part of the space—they are the experience, shaping everything from the atmosphere to the way people connect within it. This specialty plant shop in Downtown Olympia is dedicated entirely to houseplants, offering a curated selection of indoor greenery alongside pottery, soil, tools, and supplies needed to help plants thrive.

More than six years later, this Downtown Olympia plant shop has grown into a destination for indoor plant lovers of all kinds—from curious beginners to seasoned collectors. Each plant selection is curated from trusted growers, ensuring customers bring home not just something beautiful, but something healthy and well cared for.

Click here to read the full story

This feature is part of our NEW Member Spotlight Series, highlighting members and supporters of the Olympia Downtown Alliance.

Stay tuned as we continue sharing more content just like this!

Death Cafe | April 4 (Adults 18+)

Curious about life, death, and everything in between? Join the library for a Death Cafe—a welcoming space where people gather (often as strangers) to share cake, sip tea, and have open, thoughtful conversations about death. This is not a grief support group, but a relaxed, participant-led discussion with no set agenda—just an opportunity to reflect, connect, and explore what it means to live a meaningful life.

Free and open to adults aged 18 and older.

More here

Call for Artists: Center Gallery Exhibitions (2026–27 Season)

Are you a visual artist looking to showcase your work? Applications to exhibit at the Center Gallery are open on a rolling basis. To be considered for the 2026–27 season, submissions must be received by May 15.

Be sure to review all application details and artist requirements carefully. While not all fields are required, submitting complete information is strongly encouraged.

Learn more here

Help Shape Downtown Olympia: 2026 Vibrancy Survey Closes Friday, April 3rd

Each year, the Olympia Downtown Alliance conducts a Downtown Vibrancy Survey to better understand the experiences and perspectives of our business community, stakeholders, and downtown residents. The insights gathered directly inform how we invest resources, refine programs, and strengthen partnerships—especially in support of our Clean, Safe & Healthy strategic goal.

Why it matters:

Your voice helps us measure what’s working, identify where more support is needed, and ensure our efforts are making a meaningful impact in downtown Olympia. As a nonprofit Main Street organization, this feedback is essential to keeping downtown vibrant, welcoming, and resilient.

Want to see how your input makes a difference? Take a look at our 2025 Annual Report to see how past feedback has shaped our work.

What to expect:

Quick and easy to complete
Focused on key topics like cleanliness, safety, business climate, and overall vibrancy
Completely confidential

Your honest feedback helps paint a clear picture of our community’s needs—and guides what comes next. Survey closes on Friday, April 3rd.

Take the 2026 Vibrancy Survey Today

You're Invited to Our Next Business Connect at Odds & Ends

Get ready to look a little closer at our next gathering! We’re heading to Odds & Ends for an evening of curiosity and connection.

Whether you have an eye for the unusual or just want to catch up with your downtown neighbors, this is the perfect spot to find something unique.

When: April 8 | 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm

Where: 120 4th Ave E

The Vibe: We’re playing a custom game of "I Spy" among the shop’s treasures, with a special collaboration from our neighbors at Shiny Prize.

Come for the curiosities, stay for the community.

RSVP Here

Help us Get Ready for Arts Walk

April 18 | 9 am – 11 am

On April 18 from 9-11am we’re hosting a LoveOly CleanUp to beautify the heart of Olympia before the Arts Walk festivities kick off.

The Mission:

Trash & cigarette butt pickup
Raking & sidewalk sprucing
Graffiti removal

Click Here to Volunteer

Laugh for a Cause with the Inn Crowd

April 16, 7 pm at Swantown Inn

Get ready for a night of big laughs and even bigger impact. Homes First is raising $3,500 to support affordable housing — helping relocate a tenant into a more accessible home while opening up space for another neighbor in need. Funds will go directly toward creating safe, healthy living spaces for both households.

Enjoy an evening of comedy featuring headliner Sam Miller, with El Sanchez and Aaron Riggs.

Every ticket, every laugh, every dollar makes a difference. Join us and be part of the change.

Tickets here

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📰 About this Newsletter

The News of the Week in Downtown Olympia is a newsletter created by the Olympia Downtown Alliance and is a summary of happenings downtown.

Preference is given to Olympia Downtown Alliance members. We do reserve the right to use our discretion on what we share.