About Us.
A tradition in Olympia since 1996
Traditions Café and World Folk Art is owned by Jody Mackey and Stacy Muguet, two entrepreneurial women with a shared vision of service to the community by providing wholesome food, live entertainment, and a marketplace supporting equitable trade relationships with low-income artisans and farmers from developing countries.
Since its founding in 1996 Traditions has evolved into a community center for concerts, workshops and public forums; a gathering place for a community of interesting and involved people. We are the 2nd generation of owners and are proud to continue to the vision of the founder, Dick Meyer.
We and our committed and friendly staff welcome your input and comments. Please stop by anytime and expect a welcoming and wholesome environment.
Address
300 5th Ave SW,
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 705-2819
Store Hours
Monday - Saturday | 10AM - 6PM
Sunday | 11AM - 5PM
Cafe Hours
Monday - Friday | 9AM - 6PM
Saturday | 10AM - 6PM
Sunday | 11AM - 5AM
(open later for concerts and some other events)
The best way to describe us is to simply give voice to the people who come here.
“Cheerful staff, wonderful food, delightful shopping! I love that place. My daughter and I always go to Traditions for lunch when we get together in Olympia.”
KE – from Google Reviews
"I LOVE Traditions. I always feel there's hope for us, when I'm there..."
TL – from Facebook Reviews
“Came for a jazz event, had great food and beverages. Enjoyed a nice gluten-free lemon bar! Yum! The Jazz jam was great, too!!”
CPF – from Facebook Reviews
“This is my favorite special place in Olympia. This is where Olympia's activists go to nourish our souls.”
VM– from Google Reviews
“Good food at a reasonable price, supports great local and regional musicians, ownership is committed to Fair Trade. Traditions is the real deal!”
CH – from Facebook Reviews
“I love the store and the cafe. I can find unique and meaningful gifts here that often have significance beyond the superficial. Staff are engaging without being invasive. I've struck up interesting conversations here many times. I've also attended musical events at the cafe and they've always been great. The cafe is clean and homey. It's very cozy and the food is consistently good. I had some pie one time that was incredible and their soups are usually very tasty. I'm a fan.”
RW – from Yelp Reviews
We have a tradition of activism and community outreach. We are pleased to support several local, state, national, and international organizations that share our values.
Procession: People celebrating community through nature ...
Mission To empower communities to engage in cultural relationships with the natural world as a means of sustaining efforts of environmental protection and restoration.
Cielo: Promoting community, self-sufficiency and leadership
Educational, mental health and counseling services, information/referrals, and social/cultural activities for the Spanish-speaking community of South Puget sound
Heartsparkle:
Our Compassionate Action Project (CAP)
The Fair Trade Federation
The Federation is part of the global fair trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty.
The Fair Trade Federation
The Federation is part of the global fair trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty.
Pizza Klatch:
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Thurston County
The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce:
The Thurston County Chamber is growing a prosperous economy and vibrant community by connecting people, ideas and resources.
ODA:
We work to channel the voice of the Downtown business community to compel action in both local and state government.
Dining Out for Life:
Dining Out For Life® is an annual dining fundraising event raising money for community-based organizations serving people living with or impacted by HIV.
Lincoln Elementary School
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Thurston County
Olympia Indivisible
In these challenging times, it is good to bear in mind that together we can make a difference, and that Olympia Indivisible's band of angelic troublemakers is doing just that.
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
The leading grassroots pro-choice advocacy organization in Washington state, and we believe that every woman should be able to make personal decisions about the full range of reproductive health options. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington works to protect every woman’s right to access the full range of reproductive health options, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion.
Veterans for Peace
Veterans for Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices.
National Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women, is the largest feminist grassroots organization in the U.S., with hundreds of chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and hundreds of thousands of contributing members and supporters.
Traditions has been recommended by:
