Aspirations to be a registered nurse led Megi Kerlee to coffee. “I started working coffee to learn how to communicate and connect with people better and I fell in love with it immediately,” she says. Now the proud owner of the new Hobbit House of Coffee in Olympia, she is happy with her decision to swap a stethoscope for a milk frother.
“I have a little bit of an artsy brain so I was always thinking of little ideas on how I would do my own place even though I was planning on being a registered nurse,” Megi explains. “Then as life went on it actually became a reality that I could open my own shop if I wanted to or if I wanted to continue with nursing. It was a hard choice because I really loved the idea of being a nurse, but looking back, I know I made the right choice because I feel so fulfilled and happy letting all my ideas come to life.”
Megi got her start in coffee working at an established coffee stand. Then she worked for her father as a flagger while she daydreamed about her own stand.
Grandma Maggie and a Cozy Coffee Stand in Olympia
For pretty much anyone, the name immediately brings to mind four famous halflings from J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved works. And while Megi is definitely a “Lord of the Rings” fan—“How could you not be?” she says—that’s not exactly where the shop gets its name. Instead, it’s named in honor of a very special person in her own life.
“The name of the stand is definitely an homage to my Grammy Maggie,” she explains. “We had joked my whole life about living in a little hobbit house together and just being little fairies in the woods. It was her idea before we ever got started to name it that and I just thought it was so perfect. So, we built the whole concept of the business around the name.”
Coffee Stand in Olympia Pours Unique Drinks
However, as a fan of the books as well, you will see hints of LOTR magic at this drive-thru coffee stand in Olympia. For example, October 2024 specials included a Mordor Mocha, featuring dark chocolate and pumpkin spice with cinnamon vanilla foam and chocolate drizzle, and The White Wizard, featuring white chocolate and almond ROCA with white coffee. Fun and flavorful drinks like these make it a perfect spot to please the geek heart in all of us!
Speaking of specials, Megi and her crew—including her bro-ristas—work hard to come up with monthly specials that are unique. “I have a couple LOTR-inspired drinks for future months but really every month I just try to come up with cute or funny names for the drinks that go with the theme of the month,” Megi shares. “I really like tongue twisters so I like to add little rhymes when I name the drinks.” December 2024 specials included drinks like FA LA LA LA LAAAA Lotus—we dare you not to end up singing that—and Baby Its Cold-Brew Outside.
Megi uses Dillanos Coffee Roasters coffee from Sumner, Washington. “I have loved Dillanos since I started drinking coffee so it was a no-brainer for me,” she explains. “I had a little tasting party with friends and family and we all voted which roast we liked best!” Her team of coffee aficionados make each cup perfect. “I think what makes our drinks not necessarily different because there are a lot of amazing coffee shops around but something I am very proud of is our consistency,” Megi says. “I have very high and strict standards on shot times, recipes, milk temperatures, frothing techniques etc., and I really have the best crew ever who work so hard and follow those standards for every drink so no matter who makes the drink it’s the same every time.”
For those needing dairy-free options, Megi offers almond, oat, soy, coconut and even hemp, which if you have not tried I highly recommend as it is naturally sweet. “We are huge on customizing the drink to the customer depending on how sweet they like their coffee to be, and we all like to get very creative with our drinks and try to step out the box and try new things to see what works together and what doesn’t,” she adds.
“My Littlerock regulars are my kind of people and getting to talk to them every day really brings me so much joy,” Megi shares. “I’m very big on vibes, so people’s moods and energy have always had an effect on me. My whole goal with this stand was to bring good and whimsical vibes to such a great little town like Littlerock. My team of my Momma, Melinda, Michaela, Diego, Lexi and myself all have such bright and happy personalities naturally, so it’s all our goal to add a little bit of joy and give off some good energy to start or end people’s day.”
Drive by the Hobbit House of Coffee at 10915 Littlerock Road SW, Olympia and follow them on The Hobbit House of Coffee Facebook page to see current specials and updates.
