Arcadia Books

This bookstore, coffee shop and café is a gem, worth the drive from Madison when touring the magic of The Spring Green area. For me, this represents the new-​age community center, replacing what taverns have historically provided for bringing people together.
The lunch selections are both tasty and nutritious. And the century-​old ambiance punctuated by the creaky wood floors and pedestal tables connect nicely with WiFi and the barista skills.
Enjoy!

Erm… So, I’m not a local person, in any sense.
My many visits to Arcadia spread over the last few years (mostly while decompressing by checking out their stock to get a start on birthday/​holiday gift lists and find better-​than-​the-​usual-​suspect-​booklist recommendations) were characterized by very personal attention (whether I needed /​deserved it*) that far surpassed anything one would get in a chain like B&N, or even otherwise fairly worthwhile places like Tatnuck or the Harvie² COOP in MA, Joseph-​Beth in Kentuckiana, or that one place I can never remember the name of in Columbus, Ohio.
I guess attention might feel a little weird, if not for what I will describe in what should otherwise be considered a side note: a little perspective on what happens during Taliesin /​HotR /​APT off-​season for local small business owners in what is otherwise a very, very small dot on any map, regardless of scale (and if I’m wrong, do feel free to tell me, don’t blame this spot for my opinions /​perspective)…Either they close for the off (snowy) season. Or they try to do all they can to help /​personalize service /​attend to foot traffic year round to maximize sales in order to stay open through the off season on bones and minimal staff…
If a customer is not a known lookey-​lou (i.e. pre-​read cuddle-​bug), or a local who staff tag as a «‘self-​serve’ buyer,» one should anticipate that staff wants to help out, to turn a «Well, I’ll just order this thing I’ve just figured out is awesome thanks to your staff /​customers, social media, etc., and wait a week (or much more) to get it, all for what will inevitably amount to not all that much of a total cost difference (except in terms of whether the profits go to a small business, with local staff)» into a «well, holy balls, I can actually purchase this/​ese book/​s here to effectively support small business and the folks who’ve just helped me find this/​ese gem/​s, to benefit the same people who just helped me and the community (especially since margins on books are what they are, fairly obviously), rather than be yet another ass who spends hours reading the stock, leaving coffee-​finger stains and random smells imbedded, then puts items back on the shelf like they can be sold full price and just overall being a douche of a human being.»
The food… oh, the food, so yummy. Whether it’s mac and 4 cheese (made with at least one local cheese, though, please expect a little onion powder burn on this one), really tasty soups, pre– and well-​made (meaning, they’re arranged to avoid the sad soggy) sandwiches on lovely bread, their selections are more than worth a glance. And they (at least, generally) don’t suffer from Midwestern blah. The café staff don’t treat mayonnaise like it’s a flavor, but do have significant, diverse global influences. Consider it take away or carry out, and for either, it’s still worth it.
*Hey, anyone with a stack of merchandise or someone struggling with what they’re carrying or otherwise easy movement-​compromised (injured, assistive devices, with littles, expected littles, etc.) deserves an offer of help, right? But that… that was not me.

A hidden gem. We were visiting from out of town and we’re looking for a place to eat. The menu was so original and diverse. From ban-​mi sandwiches to Indian soup.
What made this place stand out was their service. My wife wasn’t feeling well and they offered to make something special to get her on the mend.

Definitely a place to stop while you’re in Spring Green! I usually just go in for a coffee and to read, but have started to get lunch or dinner (available for there or to go). Always delicious and fresh.
The place is a little confusing to figure out (you can pick out food from a cooler, then bring it up to the counter to pay. The drinks are in a different cooler that’s further back. You usually bus your own dishes). If you aren’t a local or on a first name basis with the employees, you may feel a little out of place. The staff is very friendly to everyone, though.
This is a great place to schedule a meeting to catch up with an old friend. There’s wifi and great windows, or outdoor space!