Husband and wife team, Elona and David Sherepitka, bring delicious European-inspired pastries and coffee to Downtown Olympia
Taylor the Magical Magician
Be mystified and amazed with Taylor's masterful illusions and sleight-of-hand
PUBLISHER
Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
EDITORIAL
David Schaffert
360-357-3362
dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com
CONTRIBUTORS
David Schaffert
Kathryn Millhorn
ADVERTISING
Sales & Marketing:
Krystal Barkus-Franco
Elizabeth MacLean
SUBSCRIPTIONS
360-357-3362
info@thurstonchamber.com
DESIGN
Ben Hawkes Mosaic Marketing Studio
COVER
Papaver Roaster House, Photo by Shanna Paxton Photography.
PRINTING Print NW
CONTACT THE CHAMBER
809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507
360-357-3362
info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com
In This Issue: July 2026
by David Schaffert, President/CEO, Thurston County Chamber
Summer has officially arrived in Thurston County, and this month's Voice celebrates some of the people and businesses helping make our community such a vibrant place to live, work, and explore.
This issue introduces you to Papaver Roaster House, where every cup of coffee reflects a passion for quality, craftsmanship, and hospitality.
You'll also meet the family behind Fleur de Lis Garden Ornaments, whose handcrafted fountains, statuary, and garden art have been beautifying homes across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
And prepare to be amazed as we shine a spotlight on Taylor the Magical Magician, a local entertainer whose award-winning
performances continue to delight audiences of all ages while reminding us that a little wonder goes a long way.
Our community came out to support the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team at our June 19
Olympia-Lacey FanZone event, the first of the 2026 World Cup Games, at Port Plaza in Downtown Olympia. Enjoy a full page of photos from the FanZone event in Caught In The Lens on page 19.
As summer activities fill our calendars, we're taking a brief pause from our monthly Forum. Instead, we encourage you to step outside, support our local businesses, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy everything that makes summer in the Pacific Northwest so special.
Have a wonderful July!
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER
”
Olympia Oyster House
W hen Olympia Oyster House owner Dannielle Knutson needed funding for property improvements, she turned to OlyFed, valuing the opportunity to work with a locally owned bank.
“I love Olympia and I feel good knowing that by banking with OlyFed, I’m helping make Olympia a thriving community.”
For Dannielle, choosing OlyFed wasn’t just about nancing a project. It was about working with a team that shares her values and is invested in the long-term success of her business and the broader community.
Olympia Oyster House
Dannielle Knutson, Owner
July 2026
Visit thurstonchamber.com/events or scan the QR code for more info about all upcoming Thurston Chamber events.
With the July 4th holiday weekend in mind, we will be skipping our regular first Thursday Thurston Young Professionals event. Instead, join the community on Wednesday July 22nd, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at Humble Cow Ice Cream, 4528 Maple Ln SE Ste 104, Olympia, WA 98501, for a special, family-friendly Ice Cream Social! Thurston Young Professionals is sponsored by KGY Media Group and The MultiCare Foundation.
Join our Business After Hours host Our Community Credit Union at 6541 Sexton Dr NW Bldg H, Ste 103, Olympia, WA 98502. on Thursday, July 16th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for mingling and networking with other business professionals, a door prize business card drawing, beverages and appetizers. Business After Hours is a great opportunity to expand your network, and it is proudly sponsored by ROXY 94.5
On Friday, September 11, 2026, join us for the 62nd annual Foofaraw!–an unforgettable day for our local military heroes, hosted by the Thurston County Chamber and the Olympia Yacht Club. The Port of Olympia kicks things off with a grand send-off featuring local police, medics and fire departments, and a giant American flag hoisted by one of their cranes. Includes a salmon bake provided by the Confederated Tribes of Chehalis.
For more information; to sponsor, or to donate a gift basket, call the Chamber at 360-357-3362. Tickets and registration info is available at thurstonchamber.com/events.
IN THIS
Whether your yard is your sanctuary or showpiece, family owned Fleur de Lis Garden Ornaments can help you find the perfect fountain, bench or statuary to add.
Papaver Brews Up Some Delicious Treats p. 11
Husband and wife team, Elona and David Sherepitka, bring European-inspired pastries and coffee to Downtown Olympia with Papaver Roaster House.
Now You See Him... Now You Don't p. 15
Taylor the Magical Magician blends his years of experience and flair for performance into masterful illusions and sleightof-hand that wow audiences.
Caught in the Lens p. 18
Keep up with the latest Chamber happenings and see all of the great smiles that make up our membership!
Flourish Up Your Garden with Fleur de Lis p. 7
A Little Fleur de Lis Flourish for Your Home
by Kathryn Millhorn
The Pacific Northwest blossoms like a flower when its days get longer, weather warmer, and short sleeves make their annual appearance. Few regions revel in sun more than Washington and our yards, lawns, and gardens truly show it.
Winter doldrums are mowed, pruned, clipped, and seeded into an emerald paradise. If your yard is a showpiece, centerpiece, and sanctuary, consider adding a fountain, bench, or statuary from Fleur de Lis Garden Ornaments, located at 7636 Betti Lane NE in Olympia.
Fleur de Lis started as a family business in 2009. Before opening his own company, Miguel Hernandez was production manager for Seattle’s iconically-shaped Lucca Statuary. During that time, he and his sons sold their own pieces at local farmer’s markets on their days off. When Lucca Statuary closed in 2010, Hernandez opened Fleur de Lis on the dome-shaped Fremont site.
In 2018, they moved the business to Olympia. Now in a bigger warehouse, the Hernandez family is able to produce, manufacture, and ship their creations around the world. Today, owner and general manager Miguel, along with sons Angel and Bryan, make 95% of the
statuary they sell. Items have gone to Canada, Europe, and Japan thanks to online portals through Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.
Miguel says that their water fountains are the most popular item by far, with clients coming from Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Vancouver Canada to purchase them. Other popular items include birdbaths, garden planters, benches, decorative art plaques, statuary, and more.
While they don’t take custom orders, every item sold— with the exception of a few fountains from by a San Francisco area vendor—is crafted using molds made in-house. “A single mold for a piece can take up to nine months to make,” explains Miguel. “But for the most part with each mold you can mix and match pieces to create some pretty awesome fountains.”
When making a fountain, for example, it can take two to four weeks from start to finish. In that time, components are poured, finished, stained (if requested by the customer), and delivered. All items use a high-density cast concrete making them durable for many years. Colors can be added through acid stains which penetrate the surface and react chemically with the concrete so they never flake or peel in harsh weather.
Fleur de Lis keeps more than 150 fountains on display at their store and offers more than 500 designs in a catalog for special order.
Hernandez says that their time in Olympia “has been the best six of our 17 years in business. As we have grown, we have remained dedicated to the same principles that have guided us from the beginning and to which we attribute our enduring success: honesty, integrity, and most importantly, our commitment to customer service. We treat our customers like friends.”
Looking ahead, they hope to open a second location in another state to expand their footprint and beautify homes far and wide.
You can learn more about Fleur de Lis Garden Ornaments on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Through their website www.fleurdelisgardenornaments.com, you’ll find newsletter sign-up, links to their online store, a photo and video library, and both care and warranty information. Better yet, stop by their Olympia location seven days a week and the family is always happy to answer questions, provide measurements, or discuss delivery options.
Poet Emily Dickinson once said that ‘to see the summer sky is poetry.’ What better way to enjoy the short-lived, precious poem of summer than with the accompaniment of a musical fountain, bird-song from a new feeder, or cooling concrete bench in the shade? Especially when they’re embellished with that skillful Fleur de Lis touch.
Great Coffee Starts with Care at Every Stage AT PAPAVER ROASTER HOUSE
by Kathryn Millhorn
We’ve all heard the expression ‘happiness is homemade.’ When something has been lovingly handcrafted at every step of the process, that love shines through in the final product. Your morning coffee, for example, comes from carefully harvested beans which are imported, roasted, ground, brewed, and personalized to your specific tastes. At Papaver Roaster House, these steps are done mindfully from the highest-quality ingredients so every batch is happiness in a cup.
Papaver Roaster House is located in downtown Olympia at 500 Columbia Street NW. They opened their doors on June 6, 2025 after months of planning, designing, and preparing the location to bring their vision to life.
Owned by the husband-and-wife team of Elona and David Sherepitka, Papaver provides coffee and pastries made by their in-house baking team. Elona says that their Honey Cake and Black Sea Salt Caramel Latte have quickly become fan favorites but they offer a full range of “European-inspired pastries and beverages that have been very well received by the community. It's rewarding to see customers come back for the items they love and discover new favorites along the way.”
Sherepitka says that at Papaver, everything they do is intentional. “We take pride in everything. From the ingredients we use and the coffee we roast to the meticulous preparation of every coffee beverage and pastry item, quality is always at the center of our work. We also place a strong emphasis on customer service and creating a welcoming experience for every guest who walks through our doors. We believe people can feel that level of care and attention when they visit us.”
“At the heart of everything we do is the desire to create an experience that people remember,” she continues. “We want guests to feel comfortable, welcomed, and cared for from the moment they walk through the door. Whether someone is joining us for a quick coffee, meeting friends, or discovering a new favorite pastry, we hope they leave feeling a little happier than when they arrived.”
When planning their business, Sherepitka says that Olympia was a natural choice. “We've always viewed Olympia as a vibrant city with its own unique character—a place people fall in love with. In many ways, that's how we see our café as well: vibrant, different, and full of character. The community has been welcoming, supportive, and appreciative of quality and craftsmanship, which has made this journey especially meaningful.”
They searched for the perfect location for months and fell in love immediately with their eventual choice. Having a blank canvas gave them the opportunity to personalize everything and “design a comfortable, elegant, and cozy environment that offers a more elevated experience for our guests. Seeing the potential in the space was really the spark that convinced us it was time to move forward.”
The Sherepitka’s appreciate the support and connections they’ve made within Olympia’s local business community. They believe that this strong network genuinely wants to see fellow small businesses succeed.
With this first year under their belts, the Sherepitka’s are excited for what’s to come. “Our goal is simple: to continue making our guests happy and to give our very best every day,” says Elona.
“We believe that if we stay focused on quality, hospitality, and consistency, the future will take care of itself. We're excited to continue growing, building relationships within the community, and seeing where this journey leads us.”
Papaver Roaster House is open from Tuesday through Sunday. You can follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram or through www.PapaverRoasterHouse.com.
Can’t make it in but still want to try a home-brewed treat? Their online store sells small batch roasted coffee, accessories, and merchandise as well. But for the full ‘happiness is homemade’ experience, and their decadent Honey Cake, in-person is the only way to go.
Foofaraw 2026
SAVE THE DATE | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Mark your calendars for one of Thurston County's most treasured traditions! Foofaraw is a day dedicated to thanking the active-duty military members who serve our country.
Hosted by the Thurston County Chamber in partnership with the Olympia Yacht Club, this unforgettable event welcomes more than 250 service members for a day of recreation, camaraderie, and a traditional salmon bake on Island Home.
Community members can participate by registering to attend— each civilian registration helps sponsor two active-duty military guests. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses that want to show their appreciation for our local military.
Registration is now open. Gift baskets can be donated for our service members.
Scan the QR Code to find out more information, or visit thurstonchamber.com/events
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EVERY PERFORMANCE IS MAGICAL FOR Taylor the Magical Magician
by Kathryn Millhorn
Magic shows are, by their very nature and definition, utterly magical. A skilled magician can amaze, transfix, entrance, and mystify with a simple gesture. Blending masterful illusions, slight-of-hand, and a flare for performance, magicians hold audiences under their spell from start to finish.
In our region, Taylor Kyle The American Mystifier is one of those highly trained magical masters. He can be found wowing crowds at events like the Thurston Chamber Education Foundation’s annual gala A Night On The Town, but that’s just the start for this hardworking enchanter. (Or enchanting hard worker, both are equally true.)
Kyle says he has “performed more than 600 live shows over the past 14 years, won multiple awards in magic competitions, and entertained audiences for organizations including Amazon, Starbucks, and
Comcast. I've spent thousands of hours practicing impossible things so audiences can spend a few minutes in amazement. It turns out the real secret isn't magic, it's repetition.”
As well as the mystical arts, Kyle also performs comedy stage hypnosis. This “unique combination of entertainment and education can get a room laughing one moment and teach valuable lessons about focus, motivation, and the power of the mind the next,” he explains. “It is basically professional development disguised as fun.”
Working throughout the Puget Sound area is “incredibly rewarding,” says Kyle. “The community is filled with talented, supportive people who genuinely want to see one another succeed. I've made great connections here and have been fortunate enough to entertain audiences who are always willing to laugh, participate, and occasionally volunteer to believe they're a chicken."
Civic, festive, community events like A Night On The Town are extra special, Kyle believes, because they foster “personal, one-on-one
Working throughout the Puget Sound area is “incredibly rewarding... the community is filled with talented, supportive people who genuinely want to see one another succeed."
moments of amazement that you simply can't get from a large stage. There's something special about watching someone's face when they experience the impossible from just a few feet away, and realizing there are no camera tricks, hidden wires, or editing. Just years of practice and a healthy disregard for what should be possible.”
Kyle, who regularly partners with the Chamber for regional networking, also runs INVITE: The Win-Win Business Network. He explains that it’s a natural fit for someone “who studies influence professionally. I figured networking was a more socially acceptable use of my skills than world domination.”
If your upcoming party or event needs a hefty dose of wonder, laughter, and audience participation, visit
"I've made great connections here and have been fortunate enough to entertain audiences who are always willing to laugh and participate, and occasionally volunteer to believe they're a chicken."
www.BookTaylorNow.com. Kyle promises “it’s much easier than trying to summon me through a crystal ball and I promise not to hypnotize your guests into booking me twice…unless they really want to.”
He’s available for festivals, fairs, birthdays, reunions, club meetings, corporate gatherings, fundraisers, private parties, and community celebrations. You can also see him live at this year’s Bumbershoot in Seattle on September 5 and 6, 2026.
Looking ahead, Kyle maintains a simple goal: “to keep doing what I love. I want to continue creating bigger and more memorable hypnosis and magic experiences while helping people better understand the incredible things their minds are capable of.” World domination and the occasional poultry transformation notwithstanding.
