OLALLA, Wash. — In a single week, the small tight-knit Kitsap County community of Olalla became the center of two devastating investigations.
The cause of an early Tuesday morning fire that tore through the Olalla Bay Market remains under investigation.
"We had another visit from the fire marshal [Friday] and she is sending samples to the crime lab," said Marta Olsen Drevniak, a market management team member and daughter of owner Gregg Olsen. "The cause is still unknown at this point. Nothing has been ruled out. We’re anxiously awaiting her findings"
Two days later, Olalla was hit by tragedy when a couple was found dead in their home.
Olsen Drevniak and her family were neighbors with Steven Shulz, 51, and Mina Shulz, 51 and worked together as local businesses. The couple owned East 2 West Brewery in Olalla.
"We are feeling the sting of losing our neighbors, Steve and Mina," Olsen Drevniak said. "They were great people and such innovative entrepreneurs. We had been in talks about a strawberry beer they had created to honor Olalla."
Olsen Drevniak said she and her family are grateful for the community's support and the launch of a GoFundMe page for the Olalla Bay Market rebuild.
The Olsen Family is still assessing the damage and what it will cost to rebuild the Olalla Bay Market, but say the building is a total loss. The damage to the kitchen, where Olsen Drevniak said the fire started, is destroyed.
"We're looking at a significant cost," Olsen Drevniak said.
There were plans to host a special opening in early October, but Olsen Drevniak said that will be pushed back at least two months. Community members can expect to see updates on the cost of the rebuild and the new opening date on the Olalla Bay Market Facebook page.
While it's been a tough week for Olalla community members, an annual event is making a return after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Olsen Drevniak said she believes it will be a good opportunity for everyone to see one another and offer support during a tough time in the community.
The Olalla Americana Music Festival is set to run from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Olalla baseball fields.
"We will be at the festival all day," Olsen Drevniak said. "We look forward to being with our community."
For more details and ticket information about the festival, click here.