Wayside Cafe and Deli announced that July 18 will mark its final day of service. The closure will bring the restaurant’s eight-year run to an end.
Wayside Cafe and Deli to Close Next Month
Wayside Cafe and Deli announced the closure in an Instagram post. The announcement comes just weeks before the restaurant’s eighth anniversary.
The owners cited mounting debt and ongoing economic challenges as reasons for the closure. Debt continued to grow despite fundraising efforts and support from the local community. The owners also launched a GoFundMe campaign.
In the announcement post, the owners thanked diners and invited them to visit in the final weeks. Since opening in 2018, Wayside Cafe and Deli has built a following in Olympia for its plant-based menu.
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The Restaurant’s Story
Wayside Cafe and Deli was founded by Jamie Vulva and Kevin Rainsberry, who wanted to offer delicious vegan comfort food. The restaurant grew into a well-known destination for vegan dining in downtown Olympia.
The menu includes vegan deli sandwiches, cauliflower wings, scratch-made desserts, and other plant-based comfort-food offerings. The restaurant also offers gluten-free and soy-free options, appealing to a wide range of customers.
The restaurant is a gathering place for families, where they connect over food and the community’s art and music scene. As the restaurant prepares to close, it ends the run of an establishment that defined vegan food in the neighborhood.
