A Room of One’s Own — Local services in Madison

I wanted to sort of correct the record:

I am a disabled consumer. So from that perspective, the accessible door is locked and you sometimes have to work a bit to get them to come and open it, but passerbys ("natural supports") in disability language, always help.

But oh the delicacies you will find inside. Want to know what you should read? Browsing the store will tell you. They have things Barnes and Noble simply does not. My friend recommended a book, they had it. Absolutely unbelievable. They also had not 1 but 2 copies of the I-Ching which I absolutely adore. Due to their work finding it for me among their stacks, I bought both. The torture report? You don't want to read it, but you should. They had it. It's an awesome combination with the Community Pharmacy right next door. I love this place, and will defend it.

Return fraud is a problem across the retail industry. I've read about it in the new york times, and had a friend that was poor and wanted to "try things out". If you need a refund, like I did when the item I ordered online was actually in stock. (Call first.), they will first state their policy, and then they will make an exception. They are human beings. (This in response to a...

Room of One's Own is a herstoric bookshop in Madison, a long time ally of the glbtq+ community and alternate spirituality groups, as well as a hotbed of activism and feminism. The current location does not disappoint in grandeur! Just looking around I'm astounded by the sheer number of new writers feeling the courage to speak about difficult topics. The shop itself serves the book readers well with an incredible selection of titles. But the staff are a different story. I expect a certain grumpiness from book shop employees, but the people here are downright belligerent and rude. Just walking in the door instead of a friendly greeting I was accosted with negativity and yelled at for not wearing a mask. I'm vaccinated, I supported mask mandates when they were active, but now masks are no longer necessary. Focus on first impressions please. I work in retail, that first greeting is crucial to building trust and loyalty. Were it not for a special event I am attending, I may not...

This place was my safe haven of a bookstore for years before I left Madison. Although I haven't been back to check out their new location, I still would recommend this place to anyone.

Their offering of subscription boxes has just confirmed that this store continues to be my favorite bookstore in the world - and I have been in every book store I wander across. Every month I've been given a book that has been thoughtfully picked out for me, and every time they've picked something amazing. It's been a gift to myself and every time I see that package in the mail, I've got the same feelings of wandering into that bookstore again.

Thank you to all the staff members now and in the past who've made this store such a special place in my heart. I hope to see the store in person again someday soon.

Edit 2024: Made a side trip on my way to Milwaukee to stop by the new place. Wish I could've stayed longer! It's amazing and walked away with a half...