Nicole’s Bar opening downtown, Paella Pro gets spot at Olympia Farmers Market
Nicole Andres, who has worked in the food and bar business for 19 years, has decided to do her own thing. Andres and her business partners are opening Nicole’s Bar in the former Oly Underground space on Legion Way.
The 4,000-square-foot space at 109 Legion Way SE is set to open in mid to late March, she said this week.
Expect local craft beer, local wine and cocktails to be on the menu, as well as traditional bar food, but also specialty sandwiches and salads.
“I want to provide a space that is nice, with live music and good food,” she said.
Andres previously worked at Pints Barn in Tumwater, where she was a bartender.
“I want to have my own bar where I can train my staff up real well and watch it go,” she said. “I love the business and this is a natural next step for me.”
Nicole’s Bar will have additional space next door for shuffleboard, darts and other games, she said.
Her business partners are Mike and Andy Thielen, who operate T Brothers Liquor Lodge in Olympia as well as Glacier Gun Club.
Andres expects to operate 11 a.m. to close Mondays through Fridays and 8:30 a.m. to close Saturdays and Sundays. “Close” is defined as some time between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Breakfast will be served on the weekends.
Read on for more information about business in Thurston County.
Olympia
Paella Pro, a business that serves the rice-based dish from Spain, has found a permanent spot at the Olympia Farmers Market, owner Tony Judah said. The business is in its eighth year, but it is relatively new to the farmers market.
“The welcome we have received has been really, really positive,” he said, adding that he is grateful for the opportunity.
“We’re very fortunate to be there,” he said.
Being at the farmers market allows him to use fresh ingredients from the market to add to his paella, he said. Saturday’s special was slated to be a seafood paella, but he and his team also make a meat and seafood paella, as well as a vegan paella.
In February and March, the farmers market is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays only.
West Olympia
Looking for space for your office meeting or child’s birthday party? Capital Mall has turned vacant retail space into an event space called OneSpace.
The 1,400-square-foot space, which rents for $40 per hour, has been available since about October, general manager Kevin Johnston said. The mall provides the furnishings for the space and it has a food prep area and restroom, he said.
About a dozen groups per month are leasing the space. For more information, look for OneSpace on the Capital Mall website.
Steamboat Island
Lindsey Wittenberg has opened Balanced Yoga at 6541 Sexton Drive NW, A201. She offers classes seven days a week, including a 30-minute class for children every Friday afternoon. There are classes for all ages and levels, she said.
“I offer a laid back environment, without judgment,” Wittenberg said. “Everyone is welcome and the first class is free.”
For more information, find Balanced Yoga on Facebook.
