The Olga Store is a beloved historic building and a vibrant East-side community anchor.
Spring Evening in Olga by Susan Mustard
Mission
Our story began in May 2019 when the previous Olga Post Office building was put on the market, sold, and left the community without a local anchor. The Friends of the Olga Store Building formed a nonprofit in June 2019. Our purpose was -and still is- raising enough funds to purchase the historic Olga Store Building, renovate, and open it as a post office and community gathering space. We accomplished that and so much more, with the Orcas Food Co-Op providing food, coffee and groceries to the local community. Our doors are open and we are thrilled to provide a space for our local community to gather, shop, eat, drink and visit the post office.
Our original goal was a $200,000 renovation of a $600,000 building purchase. This building was built likely in 1910, and we were blindsided by the cost of such a renovation. With the pandemic arriving in the middle of our project, the cost incurred through delays were also extremely frustrating. We have endeavored to remain as true as possible to its original look and feel and we have been successful in doing so. And in the end our total renovation costs were well over $600,000, with the total cost including purchase nearing $1.8 million. This is an astronomical sum for a small community to raise.
We cherish our community's preservation and history. We were committed to keeping this beacon of history alive and thriving. We were also determined to focus on reenergizing small town life, so that this hamlet can continue to serve locals and visitors alike. Please consider supporting our mission by helping us settle debts acquired while completing this project.
History
Olga was founded in 1860 and named after the mother of the first Olga storekeeper, Anthony Ohlert. This small hamlet has retained its rustic beauty for more than 100 years.
In the early 1900s, The Olga Store was located in a different building nearer to the beach. It moved in 1937 to the current beloved building. As a general store, it was the hub for the east end of Orcas Island. The store was close to the dock where fresh strawberries were shipped to Seattle markets. The mail would arrive by boat before it started coming from Eastsound by road.
The first Olga Post Office, established in 1890, was initially housed in a log cabin at Buck Bay, then later moved to the current Olga Store Building. The Post Office was moved across the street to its current location, and the store evolved into different establishments: a lunch nook, a fine dining restaurant, and a general store where you could get homemade ice cream.
(Edited excerpt from Images of America Orcas Island, published by the Orcas Island Historical Society and Museum, page 29.)
Purchase History:
June 30, 1883 - Property deeded {homestead act} to John W Gray
March 23, 1896 - Purchased from Gray by James McDonald
March 10, 1903 - Purchased from McDonald by Charles S Rice
July 25, 1906 - Purchased from Rice by J S Shockey who sold for $1 to his daughter Jessie Zoe Shockey Hill the same year *documents do not list specifics as to a structure on the property
December 10, 1910 - Jessie Zoe Hill & Elmer W Hill sold to Winnie Tatum and T V Tatum *Ohlert was already running a store on the property at this time based on dated photo with store sign
August 29, 2017 - Winnie Tatum and T V Tatum sold to Ohlert
February 21, 1922 - Ohlert sold to Duncan Bower (Eddie Bauer's father)
The first Olga Post Office, established in 1890, was initially housed in a log cabin at Buck Bay, then later moved to the current Olga Store Building. The Post Office was moved across the street to its current location, and the store evolved into different establishments: a lunch nook, a fine dining restaurant, and a general store where you could get homemade ice cream.
(Edited excerpt from Images of America Orcas Island, published by the Orcas Island Historical Society and Museum, page 29.)
The current Post Office location was sold and the lease ends October 2019
OUR TEAM
Bizzy Riley
PRESIDENT
Bizzy spent her summers growing up wandering in the woods behind the Olga Store, picking flowers, getting stung by nettles, and racing to the store to buy long ropes of licorice. She considers it to be one of the most cherished landmarks in Washington State and is passionate about sharing it’s rich history with all who pass through Olga. She is a Naturopathic Physician with a special focus on Women’s Health and Mental Health, and she has volunteered her time on non-profit boards to broaden the scope of practice for Naturopaths and further the work of Naturopaths in primary care. She spends her time raising her two boys with her husband and dreaming of ways to be a full-time Olga resident.
Selby Lighthill
secretary
Selby’s grandparents lived on Orcas all his life, and Selby spent summers as a kid scrambling around the rocky shoreline of Doe Bay. In 2014 Selby moved with his family from San Francisco to live on Orcas full time. He is an attorney in private practice, representing individuals and small businesses in San Juan County. Selby is the president of the Olga Strawberry Council, on the board of the Doe Bay Community Association, and a volunteer Firefighter/EMT with Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.
Debbie Durand
tREASURER
Debbie has been on Orcas since July 2017 and has family ties to the Olga community dating back to the late 1800’s. She provides bookkeeping services for several Orcas businesses and is Administrative Assistant at the Orcas Island Historical Museums. Debbie is also a member of the Choral Society and serves on the Boards for the Olga Strawberry Council and Doe Bay Community Association.
Colleen Stewart
Over the years, Colleen has pressed her face up to the old rippled glass of the Olga Store, imaging what could be.
Her non-profit management, art and media experiences have included Youth Arts Mentorship Program through San Juan County Arts Council, Farm to Classroom and Art for Orcas Kids at Orcas Elementary, Hariyo Chowk and Kolor Kathmandu (Sattya Media Arts Collective, KTM Nepal,) daily newspapers in Savannah, GA; Portland, ME and Portland,OR, and various grassroots Kentucky publications and organizations.
Oshen Schiweck
Oshen thrives on being a catalyst for cultivating innovative visions. He first walked into The Olga Store in 1980 and, after engaging in a conversation with the owner, felt the need to return someday. Oshen moved to Orcas in 1986 when an opportunity became available to be a kayak guide during the day and massage practitioner in the evening at the start up of the Rosario Spa.
He has over 10 years experience in Horticulture, 25 years in Corporate Wellness, and 5 years as a civil servant. His wealth of knowledge in a variety of businesses in which he has engaged in provides a strong foundation for growth of The Olga Store, and has been instrumental in creating the vision of its return.
Mandy Randolph
Mandy draws on her roots in the Olga community, listens deeply, and works creatively in service to this sea-surrounded isle and those who are drawn here. Known to those around her as a protector of community, nature and childhood, she has worked as realtor and long-time Orcas Island Farm to Classroom educator. Mandy is fiercely committed to the people, the land and the legacy that makes this island the place we all want to call home.
PAST BOARD MEMBERS
Gay Paresky
president
Gay is a new resident of Olga with a deep-set love for the area and community. She was first intrigued with the store a decade ago while visiting her daughter on Orcas. Her many returns to Olga have deepened her passion for the historical building. She envisions a revitalized Olga Store, vital to the community. Her 35+ years of teaching have helped her cultivate an array of skills from fundraising, organization and business.
Liz Rodriguez
Liz has lived in Olga since 2016. She grew up in Seattle, visiting Olga every summer. Her grandmother brought her family to Orcas in the late 1920’s, settling in Olga. Her mom graduated from Orcas High School.
She fondly remembers visits to the Olga Store and is excited to see it reopen for the community.
Frank Martin
Frank has been a resident in Seattle since 1992, returning to his ancestors’ roots. Visits to the San Juan Islands have been numerous over the years, both pre-kids and as they have grown. Marine and mountain environments, and an ever-growing community of friends have been the sustenance of his life.
He served on the Edwards Mother Earth Foundation Board (WA) for 10 years, is a licensed architect since 1989, and an artist-builder, specialized in the trades. Past projects have included residential remodels, historic renovations, multifamily, high-rise and research facilities and with focus on community fabric and energy conservation. He is sole-proprietor of Martin Development Services, established in 2000.
Shawna Hanan
Shawna is a mother and baker/owner of Three Sisters Bakery on Orcas Island. In 2019 She opened Luna’s Cafe, and prior to moving to Orcas she ran a bakery, farm and outdoor education school in Ashland, Oregon.
Photographed: On the porch:Board members Selby Lighthill, Gay Peresky, Colleen Stewart, Debbie Durand, Oshen Schiweck. Not present:Bizzy Riley and Frank Martin.
Botton: Joe Symons, Natalie Menacho, Cal Rogers, Chelsea Thorpe, Ritambhara Tyson, Shawna Hanan, Lorna Rhodes, Learner Limbach, Grace Chung, Dan Gottlieb
