Garden Wall Bookshop — Local services in Verona

2025 Update: Bumping down a star due to less kid-friendly layout under new ownership and not honoring previously purchased Square gift cards. More info below. New 2025 review: I hope Garden Path/Kismet does well under new ownership and stays a Verona staple, but it's no longer my top Madison area bookstore for 2 main reasons: Whole kids section is now upstairs. Stairs are steep, to get a stroller up there you'd have to carry it, the area behind the counter where the owners offer to store strollers isn't big so multiple strollers would become an issue, and most importantly, there's not a gate at the top of the stairs to stop kids from doing a runner. I understand it's the expectation that parents supervise their kids (as the owners told me when I asked about it), but kids run fast, and I personally wouldn't be comfortable bringing small kids here until they're of an age where they won't run away, especially if I'm trying to manage multiple kids of different ages. Square gift cards purchased from Kismet aren't accepted. The owners told me this is an inherited problem, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth that I can't use the $50 gift card someone got me as a gift. They gave me $10 off a purchase as a consolation, which was nice and they didn't have to do, but it's still a problem that the remaining $40 on that gift card can't be used. Inherited problem or not, it's not good, and I hope they find a way to work with the previous owners and Square to address it Overall, I think the vision the new owners have for the bookstore is different than what I want from a bookstore. Like I said, I really hope they do well under new ownership and with the new vision, and it's still a great bookstore worth visiting. I personally will just go to the other bookstores in the area that match what I'm looking for.

Original 2021 review: Phenomenal bookshop and wonderful addition to downtown Verona! Great selection of adult, YA, and children's books and gifts (stickers, journals, local candles and tea, plus other things) and a space upstairs with couches and toys for kids to play. Looking forward to spending...

My 12 year old daughter and I were in Verona for a gymnastics competition recently. We had some time to kill before checking in to our hotel, so we stopped in at this amazing little book store. The staff was super friendly and helpful, the book selection was great, and I absolutely loved the space upstairs. It's the perfect place to buy a book and curl up with it on a comfy couch. My daughter and I also loved the sticker selection, the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, and the free samples of an amazing chocolate s'mores candy. Our favorite thing was the jelly bean machine that "doesn't run on quarters, but instead on adult permission". We got such a giggle out of that! The store is well laid out, visually appealing, and has really good lighting, which is important in a book store! They also have a couple of places where you can find some freebies like stickers and pamphlets of book recommendations. When we go to Madison to visit family, we'll definitely make a little side trip to Verona again to hit up...

This bookstore is such a gem to have in Verona! My daughter, husband and I all love coming here! We’ve stopped in numerous times in the past and have always been greeted warmly. Today especially, it was such a cozy retreat on a cold snowy day ~ love the music, the atmosphere, and the selection of books as well as neat little extras that can be found tucked around the store. The upstairs has comfy seating as well as a charming children’s play space. I have fond memories of visiting the bookstore as a child and am so glad my daughter can share in the experience now too! Love having such a neat place so...