West Seattle food and drink: The Nook to open in Admiral

nookguys
(WSB photo – Jimmy and Johnny Rolfe with Java)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Nook is taking over what was the Mind Unwind/Treehouse Lounge space in the north end of The Admiral District.

It’ll be a “cozy, quaint” neighborhood bar/lounge/small-plates space run by brothers Jimmy and Johnny Rolfe, with whom we talked this weekend as they worked on the space, which they just bought on Friday from Krystal Kelley, Jason Nivens, and Zac Hutchins. (Kelley’s art collaboration with students will continue – more on that below.)

Many West Seattleites will know Jimmy from his roles at Matador, from West Seattle bartending to his current corporate beverage/bar-operation responsibilities. Johnny has a culinary background. Since the space at 2206 California SW [map] is limited – “not much of a kitchen” – their food offerings will be small plates.

But The Nook will have a full bar, along with beer and wine – with a “local focus,” the brothers say, in an “eclectic array” of offerings. When you add in the second-floor loft space, there’s seating capacity for about 70 people. It will be open to all ages, with a couple of screens that also will likely display an “eclectic” mix – “might be golf one day, snowboarding another,” say the Rolfes. And there’s some outdoor seating, too.

Hours? They’re still deciding, but ultimately they plan to “let the neighborhood tell us” what hours make sense. And they hope to be open within a few weeks.

Now, the future of Mind Unwind, which opened in the then-newly built space almost five years ago as an art/events space, with the addition of Treehouse Lounge less than a year later: Kelley says it will continue as a nonprofit foundation working with students on art and other creative projects – she’s been primarily working at elementary-school campuses anyway.

Meantime, The Nook is working on its online presence (remember, the deal just closed!) and we’ll add a link when they’re up.

10 Replies to "West Seattle food and drink: The Nook to open in Admiral"

  • JWinWS October 23, 2016 (12:14 pm)

    Great news! Will definitely support the brothers. 

  • ACG October 23, 2016 (1:03 pm)

    I just bought a living social deal 2 days ago for Mind Unwind. So, am I out of luck with my cash?  Businesses shouldn’t sell their living social or groupons if they are trying to unload their business in the near future. Boo. 

    • WSB October 23, 2016 (1:51 pm)

      Wow, I didn’t even know those companies are still in business … their “coupons” have always been a questionable deal for small local businesses. Anyway, try e-mailing Krystal at create@mindunwind.org – she mentioned the art outreach for students but we didn’t ask about anything else as it looked like the entire storefront had been lounge-only for some time (we hadn’t been there since it was 100 percent art mode a couple years ago). – TR

      • WSdisappointed October 23, 2016 (2:41 pm)

        The painting supplies were removed September 1st.. with no notice.

  • Jenny & Ahmed October 23, 2016 (4:26 pm)

    Way to go Jimmy and Johnny.  Jimmy has been awesome over the years, not only as a bartender and manager, but just generally a great guy.  Wish you both all the best!  Can’t wait to come visit.  

  • Stuart October 23, 2016 (9:25 pm)

    Excited to hear that Jimmy is back! He was my favorite bartender at Matador and it hasn’t been the same since he left. Just a great guy and so friendly to customers. Will definitely be checking out the new place 

  • Wsgal October 23, 2016 (10:18 pm)

    Good thing I bought a yearly memeberzhipnfor painting at mind unwind- what a waste. 

  • Vienna Catalani October 24, 2016 (10:05 am)

    Awesome! This sounds like a great new option for the neighborhood :) 

  • Rachel October 24, 2016 (10:51 am)

    Will it be dog friendly?

  • Krystal November 5, 2016 (2:23 pm)

    I’m sorry to hear that living social is still selling our deals. They were notified by us back in May that we weren’t offering daily deals any longer. It is their negligence that you were able to purchase a voucher to a closed business, but I apologize. Both Groupon and Living Social have informed me that they will refund your vouchers. I have sent all refunds personally for art club members with an explanation of our closure. If you have not received your refund for art club, please contact me and I’m happy to resend a check. Thank you for supporting our business, it is with a heavy heart having to move in a different direction, but spending time with our family and new baby has to be our priority. We look forward to seeing what Jimmy & Johnny do with The Nook and wish them tons of success!!

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