The Nook strives to be an oasis from the stressors of our every day lives, a place where you can unwind, connect with friends, or just get a consistently delicious little treat to brighten your day.
We run on caffeine and sarcasm and work hard to provide you with a space and an experience unique to the Nook itself.
We like knowing who and where our coffee and food comes from, and we figure we can't be the only ones. Nothing in Rhode Island is more than 45 minutes away (except Castle Hill in July) so why should we look beyond that to get our ingredients? Scroll down to see our list of fabulous partners.
What is the Nook?
Who runs this place?
Shannon Wylie Vincelette had the vision for The Nook back in high school, long before we opened our doors in 2016.
Her first draft of the business plan, for the coffee shop you know and love, was written in 2003, when she was a senior in high school in New Hampshire. She wrote her second draft of a business plan while attending college for a degree in Business Management. Shannon’s long term dream has only grown as she has worked to build a business that is not only values aligned, but invites people to experience those values first hand. You’ll often see her taking orders behind the bar, doing admin work in a comfortable chair, or greeting customers by name.
But, Shannon doesn’t do this alone. The team at The Nook is just as well known, and just as integral to making the coffee house successful. Over the years, there have been many beloved baristas who have worked here, and lately the team we have is a multi-talented powerhouse crew that we couldn’t be more proud of. Come say hi to Alix, Julia, Meg, Rosie, Maddy, Lucy, and Elise, who often know your order before you make it, and have helped make the menu what it is.
Over the last nine years, Shannon has welcomed many changes in her own life, like a wedding and the addition of her two daughters; Emilia and Veda. But for her and for the rest of us, The Nook has remained a constant in our community and we look forward to having you visit us.
What are we all about?
There are a few core values that guide The Nook. Community, sustainability, and positivity.
Talk to Shannon or anyone at The Nook for more than a few minutes and you’ll experience how values driven this coffee house is. Shannon is continuously working to make the business more sustainable, and recognizes the coffee industry’s impact on the environment. “As a food establishment, we are some of the biggest perpetrators of single use plastic, and so we work hard to minimize our carbon footprint by composting, using ceramic mugs, sourcing from local purveyors, and giving discounts for bringing your own mug.” [Canvas Rebel, 2024] Even the staffing decisions reflect a shared commitment to this value.
When scouting locations for The Nook, Shannon was drawn to East Greenwich for its community. The mom and pop shops and the small town feel reminded her of Keene, NH, where she went to college and instantly fell in love. These days, you’ll often see regulars at the Nook enjoying their coffee, chatting with one another, admiring the art that hangs on the far wall, or browsing the bakery display that is home to the products that make our partnerships with other small businesses so meaningful.
Finally, The Nook aims to be a vortex of positivity. Every staff member works especially hard to make your day better. A greeting by name, an order known by heart, or an inside joke is a regular experience for even infrequent visitors. You can walk in the door and take a deep breath because you know your day will improve just by being there. Come visit us to see what we’re all about.
Our Partners
New Harvest Coffee Roasters - Pawtucket, RI
Kristen’s Kreations - North Kingstown, RI
Providence Bagels - Providence, RI
Illuminated Oven - East Providence, RI
Narragansett Creamery - Providence, RI
Beautiful Day Granola - Providence, RI
Virginia Spanish Peanut Co. - Providence, RI
Numilk - Brewster, NY
Knead Doughnuts - Providence, RI
Full Bloom Apiaries - Franklin, CT
Shri Bark - Pawtucket, RI
Jahmu Chai - North Kingstown, RI
Aqua Vitea Kombucha Seltzers - Middlebury, VT
MEM Tea Imports - Wakefield, MA
Old Friends Farm - Amherst, MA
JAM Design Apparel - East Freetown, MA