Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
Two local businesses, Shiplap Shop & Coffee House and South Hill RV, each received beautification grants from the City of Yelm in order to create visual improvements to their stores.
According to the agenda packet from the Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, Shiplap Shop & Coffee House was awarded $5,000 toward storefront improvements, while South Hill RV received $4,509.22. The two businesses were recommended for selection during a meeting on Wednesday, March 26, by a committee that included Mayor Joe DePinto, City Clerk Kathy Linnemeyer, City Finance Director Stephanie Nanavich and a Yelm city councilor.
Yelm city councilors voted 5-1 to approve the two local businesses receiving their respective beautification grants. Councilor Brian Hess was the lone “no” vote.
Shiplap Shop & Coffee House’s proposed concept through the beautification grant, according to the agenda packet, includes building a stage on top of a cargo container for live music events and other forms of entertainment during months with warmer weather.
Shiplap Shop & Coffee House wrote in its application that the stage would be located in the empty lot next to the business. The store claimed it would be an opportunity to bring the community together, as it’s hopeful to get involvement from Yelm High School’s landscaping classes throughout the construction process.
After Councilor Joshua Crossman motioned to approve the beautification grants, Hess shared his concerns with the two beautification grants — though DePinto noted all of the applicants met the requirements of applications.
“With Shiplap, my concerns with that one are, in February, they made a very bold announcement on social media that there’s a possibility they may be going out of business and they need assistance. On top of that, I’ve looked at the space that’s there that they plan to build the stage in front of,” Hess said. “I don’t know how big that stage is going to be, but to have a reasonable sized stage, to do music they’re willing to do and do some of the things they say they want to do, it’s going to cut that area really small. I’m not quite sure. It would’ve been nice if they said how big of a stage they were bringing in so it could be visualized a little better.”
South Hill RV, located 1500 W. Yelm Ave., looks to introduce faux rock columns and business signage to be featured near its store front on Yelm Avenue. In the business’s application, South Hill RV claimed they were told by the City of Yelm that it’d be eligible for the grant, and to apply back in February.
The benefits of South Hill RV receiving the beautification grant, according to its application, would be creating an “upscale look” for the community through the faux stone columns — and that it could serve as a landmark for directions for drivers.
“I know that we had the discussion in December about the beautification awards, and doing something that is regular for businesses to do. The sign, that is what business owners are supposed to do,” Hess said. “We heard that discussion during the month of December as well. That’s what a business owner is supposed to do for their business. I’ve walked by the sign, it’s right where I live, and it’s a sign. It’s not like some of the other ones we’ve had. I just have concerns in reference to that one.”
According to the agenda packet, a beautification grant application was received from Conley Suites, but it was not included in the recommendation due to the business “operating without a business license” and being in violation of other areas in Yelm Municipal Code.
Prairie Lanes also submitted an application for a mural, but ultimately withdrew it. The business said it might apply for the beautification grant again in 2026.
