Arcadia Books in downtown Spring Green, Wis., is closing early in the new year for structural repairs that are expected to take several months, the Cap Times reported. At the same time, Paper Crane, the coffee shop inside the store, will leave the space for good. Arcadia Books is looking for a new business to take its place.
Natalie Iaury, who has worked at the store since it opened in 2011, told the newspaper that while the store had some problems with the building, it didn't realize the extent until last spring, when a structural engineer estimated that the floor could adequately support just 30% of its current load of "really heavy" books. The building dates back to 1872.
Repairs have already been made to the roof and two apartments above the bookstore. After the holiday season, contractors will come in, remove the floor, pour cement in the basement and adjust supports, the newspaper noted. "The store will be closed, and Iaury and other Arcadia staff are going to try to fulfill online and phone book orders out of the portion that's not under active construction."
"Through COVID, we learned how to operate with an online business and not being open to the public," Iaury commented. Still, "it's definitely not our preference, because our customers are the heartbeat of who we are."
As for Paper Crane, Iaury said owner James Bohnen "doesn't want (the café) to go away. It's essential to who we are." But Paper Crane owner Jenn Jensen decided to leave because she couldn't afford to be closed for at least several months.