Two Olympia Farmers Market vendors have been suspended since September.

Neither the City of Olympia nor the Port of Olympia says it plays any role in how the market is run.

Mead maker Odin's Alchemy Brewing lost its spot permanently after a Sept. 25 sampling violation. Knife vendor Crafted Restorations was suspended in October over display safety and insurance concerns, as The Olympian first reported.

Crafted Restorations owner Kevin Box had hoped to be reinstated by Oct. 22 but told The Olympian he received no word from market officials.

The suspensions follow an April leadership change at the market, a nonprofit that operates on port property at 700 Capitol Way N. New director Alvi Stuart replaced Isabel Thomas, who had worked at the market for about four years in roles ranging from customer service to manager, according to The Olympian.

No one from the market's board has commented publicly.

The Olympian reported that one board member declined to speak on the record, another could not be reached, and an attorney reportedly connected to the market was also unreachable. Thomas also declined to comment.

Who's in charge?

The market's layered real estate arrangement leaves no single public body overseeing vendor decisions. The city holds a long-term ground lease with the port and owns the market buildings.

A maintenance and operating agreement between the city and the market nonprofit spells out insurance terms.

City spokesman Brandon Chapman said the agreement requires the market to carry at least $2 million in commercial general liability coverage per occurrence. But he added that the operating agreement does not expressly require individual vendors to buy separate policies.

Scott River, the city's liaison to the market, said that requirement is likely between the board and its vendors. "The city doesn't tell them how to run," River said.

Mike Reid, the port's community and economic development director, said the market is in year 30 of a 50-year lease with an option to renew for 30 more years. Rent is tied to revenue. The port collected $145,000 in 2025, up from $113,000 in 2022, Reid said. The market generated nearly $9.7 million in gross sales in 2025, according to city information.

Staff departures

David Coffey, a former vendor, board member and maintenance manager with 17 years at the market, said Thomas was dismissed in early April for reasons that were not clear. He quit around the same time. Other staff left too.

Coffey ran a booth called Coffey's Grounds, selling plants, wreaths and handmade furniture. He said he applied to return as a vendor but was denied about four weeks ago.

Ryan Bally, who owns Odin's Alchemy Brewing, told The Olympian in coverage published Oct. 20 that his efforts to get reinstated had failed. The market had provided the majority of his sales, and he said he would likely need a second job.

Box's knives have found at least one new outlet. Childhood's End Gallery in downtown Olympia is now selling his culinary knives, Box said.