Archibald Sisters is most definitely a necessary shopping stop when in Olympia — especially when you tend to be on the twisted, liberal and openly expressive end of the personality spectrum.



Take everything good, clean, nice and pure you ever thought a fluffy Hallmark-type gift store could be and bring it over to the left where some Andy Kauffman-esque serial prankster with a manic attitude has marked its territory, and there you have downtown Olympia’s very own Archibald Sisters store. Clever stationary, amusing literature, wacky gifts, and independent, locally made goods all reside within a store which also dedicates itself to mixing custom fragrances and lotions. There’s no quick trip inside this place. I’m usually there for at least an hour — particularly when I get to chatting with yahoos like Daniel and Jen.

 

DANIEL FURRER: Jen, make sure we check Steph’s purse before she leaves.



STEPH DEROSA: I heard that, guys. I’m right here.



FURRER: Oh, sorry. You were so engrossed in the wind-up sushi rolls we thought you couldn’t hear us.



DEROSA: Do you get a lot of shoplifters here?



FURRER: Sometimes. We also see some strange people outside this downtown Olympia storefront as they walk by.



DEROSA: Yeah, Bandito Betty and I saw a lady screaming loudly at no one in particular earlier outside on the street.


FURRER: Yellow raincoat?



DEROSA: Yes!



FURRER: That’s Patty. Or Tammy. One of those names. She used to come in and yell at the lotions.



DEROSA: Weird-O. Speaking of weird, what’s the weirdest request you’ve had from a customer?



JEN LEONARD: We had a lady call about a month ago requesting six yodeling pickles.



DEROSA: What the … is a yodeling pickle?



LEONARD: It’s everything you could hope it to be.



DEROSA: Awesome. All of my yodeling pickle dreams may have finally come true! Now what about all of my custom lotion dreams? Which scent do you think would fit my personality the best?



FURRER: LUSH.



DEROSA: Wow. There was no hesitation there. You really didn’t have to think about that at all, did you?



FURRER: Don’t be so flattered. People read the Weekly Volcano in bars, that’s why.



DEROSA: OK then. That’s a relief.


FURRER: And the fact that you have to be pretty inebriated to appreciate your column.



DEROSA: Oh yeah? Well it takes throwing a few back before I can write it.


FURRER: Obviously.

[Archibald Sisters, 406 Capitol Way S., Olympia, 360.943.2707]