Nasty Jack's sells to Restless & Refurbished

The more things change, the more they stay the same – even for an iconic half-century-old La Conner business that will have new ownership in January.

A downtown fixture since 1972 when it was launched by Jack Wilkins and Jim Reynolds, Nasty Jack's Antiques has carved out a unique niche in the Puget Sound region with its eclectic selection of gift and novelty items, vintage toys, collectibles, housewares, tin signs, decorations, political and sports memorabilia and much, much more.

That won't change as the popular First and Morris street store, comprising 12,000 square feet in a landmark two-story Victorian building, transitions to new owners Sierra and Austin Dudley of Restless & Refurbished in Sedro-Woolley.

"It's a perfect fit, a super fit," said Marlo Frank, daughter of the late Jack Wilkins. She has run Nasty Jack's with her husband, Gary, since 1994.

"After 30 years," she said, "Gary and I were looking to retire and Sierra and Austin were looking for a bigger building. It's a great fit for La Conner."

"We couldn't be more grateful," she added, "that our iconic beloved family business will be taken into a third generation. Sierra and Austin will also have curated antiques and treasures galore as well as preserving space for all the 'fun stuff' everyone has known and loved for decades."

That includes the trademark Nasty Jack's "door greeter."

"Zoltar," assured Frank, "will remain with all his coin-operated friends."

Gary Frank echoed those sentiments, stressing that turning over the keys to Restless & Refurbished ensures the Nasty Jack's legacy will continue going forward.

"We wouldn't just hand it off to anyone," he said. "This building is such a special place in town. It had to be the right people."

Marlo Frank said the Dudleys have maintained "a beautiful shop" in Sedro-Woolley and developed a large following on Instagram.

"I was pleasantly surprised and a bit blown away upon meeting Sierra," said Marlo Frank, "when she showed up with a truck, trailer and two babies on her hips. Come to find out, she had two more children at home. I could tell she was an incredibly hard worker and passionate about her business."

For the Franks, the sentimental value of Nasty Jack's can't be overstated.

"It was one of the most difficult decisions of our lives," Marlo said of the building's sale, "but our gut told us the timing was right."

Marlo Frank had begun working there while still a student at Burlington-Edison High. She went on to graduate in 1991 from Western Washington University. But three years later – as she and Gary became new parents – her dad passed away unexpectedly.

Jack Wilkins had been sole proprietor of Nasty Jack's from the time Reynolds left for another business venture.

"Our lives were changed in an instant, to say the least," Marlo Frank said. "Understandably, the odds were completely against us. Somehow, through perseverance, hard work and probably some luck, we thrived and had fun along the way.

"We survived recessions, snowstorms and even a global pandemic," she recalled.

Her younger brother, Gable, was only 8 years old when their father died. In addition to Nasty Jack's, the Franks took charge of Gable. Now in his late 30s, he is one of La Conner's more beloved figures – a Special Olympics gold medalist, Braves Hub volunteer and part-time employee at The Slider Café.

"We know my dad would be proud of the beautiful family we've created," said Marlo Frank, "and how his son turned out to be the good human he is."

Gable Wilkins, who resides in Bay View, plans to remain a regular presence in La Conner well after the Dec. 22 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Nasty Jack's farewell party.

Leading up to the party, the Franks have created an historical window display at the store featuring photos of Jack Wilkins, newspaper accounts of Nasty Jack's and a large image of the building from the turn of the 20th century.

When the new year arrives, the Franks will treat themselves to a couple of well-deserved vacation trips.

"After working six or seven days a week for 30 years," said Gary Frank, "we're going to relax for awhile and then move on and do something else."

The Dudleys, meanwhile, have scheduled their grand opening for Jan. 17 and 18.

"We have loved our time in Sedro-Woolley and are sad to leave our current brick and mortar behind," Sierra Dudley said in a recent social media post. "(But) we're overjoyed that our business has this opportunity of relocating to a beautiful building in La Conner.

"Our new location at the Nasty Jack's building offers more space to showcase our curated antiques and imported treasures," she wrote, "allowing us to bring an even better shopping experience."

From the Franks' perspective, owning Nasty Jack's has been a storybook experience – one whose final chapter is nearly complete.

"Thirty years ago, I didn't get to write the beginning of our story," said Marlo Frank, "but I'm so thankful I got to write the end."