Rutledge Corn Maze

Woven into the fabric of strong vibrant communities are small businesses. They provide essential products and services that we depend on. They also give back to the communities they serve – often behind the scenes. More than ever, brick and mortar shops need our support. Competition from online retailers, the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the economy has made the past few years challenging for small businesses. 

Small Business Saturday, first celebrated in 2010, is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and encourages consumers to patronize small and local business. It’s observed the final Saturday of November, meaning this year it will be November 25. In honor of Small Business Saturday 2023, we are spotlighting several area small businesses over the next few weeks. 

First up is Rutledge Corn Maze in Olympia. Since 2000, thousands of visitors have wandered through its corn maze, braved its haunted maze, picked pumpkins, and enjoyed a host of other fun fall activities. We recently chatted with owner/general manager Robby Rutledge about the business and what makes Rutledge Corn Maze so special.

Rutledge Corn Maze

Location: 302 93rd Avenue SE, Olympia, Wash.

Hours: Varies. You’ll want to check their website or contact them for specific days and hours.

Website: https://rutledgecornmaze.com/

Social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest

More info: Email info@rutledgecornmaze.com

What inspired you to start your Rutledge Corn Maze?

Robby: My family has been farming for many years. I am a third-generation farmer.  We farmed corn, so when corn mazes started popping up more, it seemed right for us to expand in that way.

What’s been the most rewarding part of being a business owner?

Robby: Being able to take what my grandpa and uncle started and take it to the next level has been the most rewarding thing for me. I took over about five years ago and it’s been exciting to see everything that’s been possible. 

How has TwinStar helped Rutledge Corn Maze be successful?

Robby: The folks at the Tumwater branch have been excellent from Day 1. They are always going above and beyond for us, especially as we’ve grown. They’ve helped us figure out so many things from short-term loans, credit cards, really anything that could assist us. Even during our busy season, everyone at TwinStar has been so accommodating. 

What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about small businesses?

Robby: We need more support from our communities than most people realize. The more the community supports local, the better it is for everyone. 

What’s one business challenge that you’ve overcome that you’re proud of?

Robby: We’ve experienced a lot of growth, so understanding that we needed to adapt and change to accommodate that is something I am proud of. It’s been a variety of things from hiring more people to handle increased foot traffic or dealing with more financial management as we’ve grown.

What do you think makes Rutledge Corn Maze stand out?

Robby: It’s how much we give back and try to be a part of the community. We are at events, we make donations – we understand we wouldn’t be where we are without being a part of the community we are in.

What’s your favorite memory associated with Rutledge Corn Maze? 

Robby: It’s more of a generic one, but it is seeing all the families return year after year – and the joy they get as they bring new generations of their families and friends. As their families continue to grow, so have we. 

As we prepare for the holiday season and Small Business Saturday, we encourage you to consider shopping locally and support small businesses.