Area Spotlights: Arcadia Books

Meet some of our partners in the area who can help make your visit to APT even more magical. Everyone wants a book store like Arcadia in their home town, and Spring Green is fortunate enough to be the town that actually has it! The perfect stop for any book-lover on their visit to APT. Read on for more!

Arcadia Books

102 E. Jefferson Street, Spring Green, WI 53588

(608) 588-7638 | www.readinutopia.com

Tell us a little about your Arcadia!
Every book in our store was thoughtfully added to our collection. We are a general bookstore with genres for every interest and age; our Literature, Poetry, and Children’s sections are especially deep. To complement the books, we also carry cards, puzzles, candles, stickers and other fun and unique gift items. We are always happy to help you choose the perfect book for yourself or a gift.

As a director at APT since 1996, James Bohnen always felt that Spring Green needed a bookstore. When this building became available, the gears started to turn. With the guidance of his dear friend Melanie, who has been in the publishing industry for her entire career, we opened in May 2011. Opening right before the busy tourist season and with a newbie staff was a gamble but it paid off, we will be celebrating our 11th birthday this year.

What does Arcadia bring to Spring Green, and why will APT-goers love it?
Our Drama and Shakespeare sections are specifically stocked with the theatre go-er in mind and we work with the APT giftshop to ensure that the season’s plays are available at both locations. The Paper Crane Coffeehouse offers a wide range of espresso and tea drinks, beer, wine, and soft drinks in addition to the grab & go cooler that is stocked with housemade sandwiches, salads and bakery items. We strive to feed the mind and the body!

How did you come up with the name for your company?
James’s favorite play is Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, which James directed at APT in 2016. The stunning pastoral Driftless area we call home could also be described as an arcadia - a place of simple, quiet pleasure. Combining the geographic beauty that surrounds us with the brilliance of Stoppard led to the name Arcadia Books.