The Bus Stop in downtown Olympia

Dominic and Jacqueline LaPraim thought opening a restaurant would be one of their retirement dreams years from now, but when the perfect spot was available in downtown Olympia, they jumped on the opportunity to open The Bus Stop. 

On the corner of 7th Ave SE and Capitol Way, where the old Greyhound bus station once was, is a modern-vintage restaurant featuring Americana food, local brews, and handcrafted cocktails. 

The restaurant had its grand opening on Nov. 22, 2024, and the owners are now beginning to ramp up the number of events hosted at the site. 

Inside are oversized booths, a bar, a banquet room and artwork that honors the previous life of The Bus Stop. They serve organic flatbread pizza and fresh-squeezed juices. 

“This building historically has a really deep connection with Olympia,” Dominic said. The Bus Stop is the last stop on the Olympia historical walking tour. 

Dominic and Jacqueline LaPraim, owners of The Bus Stop, say it's a welcoming business for everyone and hope to host many events in the future including concerts, comedy and trivia. 

Jessie Darland

Outside is a food truck — Greyhound Grill — operated by Jacqueline’s mother, which features Americana food with vegetarian options. 

“It’s a place that has developed out of a lot of community ideas and is representative of Olympia,” Jacqueline said. 

It bridges the gap from the Capitol to downtown, she said, with several local samplings of things. Daft beer comes from local breweries, and food features wild-caught salmon and grass-fed beef. 

She said they wanted to focus on thoughtful food sourcing, with an emphasis on celebrating all things local. She said they’re adapting the menu as people tell them what they want. 

Bartenders Janiza Mae, left, and Daniel Hacker pour hand-crafted cocktails using organic ingredients for customers at The Bus Stop. 

Jessie Darland

In the outdoor seating area, heaters surround the tables so customers can still enjoy it during the colder months. It also features an event space where they host music, comedy and trivia. 

“We’re very open-minded with how this place evolves. We’re letting it be what it wants to be,” Jacqueline said. 

The couple has found that people are appreciative that the building is no longer vacant. It began as the North Coast Lines in 1937, and later became the Greyhound Bus Station. Donated Greyhound advertisements and artwork appear on the walls, along with several hanging plants. 

“It’s been pretty fun having people help create this spot,” Jacqueline said. 

She has a background in architectural design, and has enjoyed honing in the style of the restaurant. Neither she nor her husband have a background in food service, other than working in it a bit when they were younger. 

Dominic owns an electrical contracting business, which he runs out of the back of the building. Initially, he was looking for a building for his business and found the building for sale. 

The Bus Stop features several booths, including a circle booth which can fit eight to 12 people, and a banquet room for private events. 

Jessie Darland

There was no intention of putting a restaurant there in the beginning. 

“It just had this personality we saw,” he said. 

The community has been great with helping them along the way, they said. Other local restaurant owners who have more experience in the business have done walk-throughs and given them insight on how to run a successful restaurant. 

The LaPraims want The Bus Stop to be a welcoming place for everyone, whether it’s state workers coming from the Capitol, families wandering downtown Olympia, or teenagers who need a practice space for their music. 

In the outdoor area of The Bus Stop is Greyhound Grill, a food truck that serves Americana dishes and vegetarian options.

Jessie Darland