The Walsh in Medina celebrates new ownership, changes

Provided photo

MEDINA – The Medina Area Partnership last week celebrated a ribbon cutting with Rollin Hellner, owner of The Walsh at 525 West Ave. Hellner, third from left in front row, acquired the site in the spring and has expanded the menu and is working to add studio and one-bedroom apartments to the upper floors.

He is joined by local officials, family and friends in the ribbon-cutting, including the front row, from left: County Legislator Skip Draper, Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Hellner, Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Barry Flansburg (representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley) and County Legislator Bill Eick.

Photos by Tom Rivers

Hellner is shown with a 24-foot-long shuffleboard table from 1937 that was added to the bar. It was a challenge to get it inside and had to be brought through a window.

The Walsh is open seven days a week. Hellner has been active in real estate development.

He acquired The Walsh from Tim Cooper, following extensive renovations from Cooper. (He is being honored with a preservation award on Oct. 20 from the Cobblestone Museum.) Cooper was able to bring the first floor back, including a banquet hall. He said Hellner brings new energy to The Walsh’s continued renovation with the apartments upstairs.

Rollin Hellner said customers are enjoying the food and drinks at The Walsh, which is managed by Alex Purnell. Emily Plumb, a bartender, is shown in back in this photo.

The Walsh has other specials, including the “Walsh Wednesday” where people can spin a wheel and if it lands on their zodiac sign, they get $5 off.

Hellner said he has made the banquet hall available to local organizations for their meetings, including the Lions Club, Rotary Club and the Medina Sandstone Society. He is working to have the lottery added soon, while also trying to get the apartments ready in 2024.