Olympia family back in business after thieves stole merchandise truck in Federal Way

LACEY, Wash. – A family business from Olympia has returned to the Haunted Night Market in Lacey for the first time after thieves destroyed their business at the start of the Halloween season.

Their rented U-Haul, containing their merchandise, tents and display racks, was stolen from the La Quinta Inn parking lot in Federal Road a few weeks ago, while they were sleeping.

The Andersons say it was a treat to be back at the Haunted Night Market on Friday after being tricked by the thieves in Federal Way.

“I almost quit, but the coordinators are so encouraging,” said Elizabeth Anderson, owner of Make a cutout PNW.

Even though the ghosts stole their rental car and made off with most of their merchandise, the Anderson family did not give up the ghost.

“There was a day where we let everything happen to us, and then we had to make a choice,” Elizabeth said. “We’ve been carding and boarding since the day after the theft occurred.”

Liz says they pulled themselves together and the community helped them devise a plan to return to the market.

“Not much sleep, lots of work,” Elizabeth said.

“A lot of late nights the kids helped out. We even had a coordinator from another show come by and pin some down,” Wes Anderson said.

“All the racks, the tents, everything was donated to us,” Liz said. “I have blank bags to print. I printed these yesterday.”

Wes estimates they added about 3,500 pins to the board in just two weeks.

“We normally have twelve boards, I think we have seven boards. So we’re not running at full capacity yet, but we’re getting there,” said Wes.

Now that the company has come back from the dead, Elizabeth and Wes are grateful for the outpouring of praise from those who donated and from all the ghosts and goblins who bought goodies at the festival.

“It shows us that these people don’t have to win, we have a community and we will get back to where we were,” Elizabeth said. “They probably feel a hit like this at Walmart, but for people like us it’s our whole life, so shopping small is important.”

If you missed the family at the market on Friday evening and would like to support them, they will be present at the Spooky farmers market in Tacoma on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m

MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE

Will Fall City’s teenage murder suspect be tried as an adult? What we know

Another top Tacoma cop on leave. Here’s what we know

Marysville School District HR director announces his intention to resign

WA man sentenced to 10 years for role as ‘right hand’ of drug gang

Police identify suspect in Des Moines, WA murder case

Microsoft fires Redmond, WA employees who organized a vigil for Palestinians murdered in Gaza

Reopening of Seattle’s Victor Steinbrueck Park after a nine-year project

Sign up for the daily newsletter to get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free Fox Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX Seattle FOX LOCAL mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national reporting, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the country.