AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 15, 2026
The Book Deal Launches New Bookstore Kiosk at Garver Feed Mill
On October 16 at 4 p.m., The Book Deal will open a unique self-service bookstore kiosk inside the Garver Feed Mill in Madison, offering visitors the chance to select from over 2,000 thoughtfully curated used books. This innovative approach brings together the convenience of self-checkout and the charm of browsing through a diverse collection, setting a first for Madison's east side.
A Vision for a Self-Service Bookstore
The new kiosk is the brainchild of Rick Jacobs, co-owner of The Book Deal, along with his brother Jimbo Jacobs and friend Josh Derr. Inspired by the bustling community at Garver and increasing customer requests for an east-side location, Jacobs teamed up with Garver general manager Bryant Moroder, who suggested a self-service bookstore concept modeled after other honor system businesses in the building.
Jacobs describes the vision: “We like the idea of someone who might come to Garver for a slice of pizza or a drink and then wanders over to our shelves and leaves with a book they didn't even know they were looking for.”
How the Kiosk Works: The Honor System and Technology
The Book Deal worked with a Milwaukee-based company experienced in payment solutions for food trucks to tailor a system for books. The process is simple: customers scan a QR code, pay electronically, and take their books — all on the honor system. While Jacobs acknowledges some risk in trusting customers to pay without staff present, he believes in the integrity of readers, saying, “Readers don't steal and thieves don't read.”
The self-checkout system enables the kiosk to stay open during all of Garver Feed Mill’s operational hours, as consistent staffing would not be financially feasible. For special events, such as the Dane County Winter Farmers’ Market held on Saturday mornings from January to April, the kiosk will be staffed to offer recommendations and assist customers.
Curated Selection of Used Books
The Book Deal at Garver Feed Mill will feature more than 2,000 used books across popular genres. According to Jacobs, the collection balances fiction — romance, mystery, thrillers, general fiction, and literary classics — with nonfiction topics like nature writing, food, and memoirs. There will also be sections for young adults, children, and board books. Featured titles include Nick Offerman’s travel memoir Where the Deer and the Antelope Play, James McBride’s acclaimed novel The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, and Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste.
The bookshelves are located between Ian’s Pizza and the lounge area at Garver Feed Mill, spanning the space between the building’s main north and south entrances.
Events and Community Engagement
Beyond book sales, The Book Deal is organizing literary trivia nights at Garver, held every first Thursday of the month. The most recent event drew over 100 signups, highlighting community enthusiasm for book-related events. Jacobs also looks forward to hosting author events at the new location.
At their flagship store on Mineral Point Road, which opened in 2023 and houses an estimated 30,000 books, The Book Deal has developed additional community programs, such as a children’s book giveaway and free books for Little Free Library sponsors. These programs are exclusive to the Mineral Point Road location and will not be available at Garver.
Grand Opening Details and Store Hours
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Book Deal at Garver Feed Mill is scheduled for 4 p.m. on October 16, with Jacobs wielding an oversized pair of scissors for the occasion. After the opening, the self-service bookstore will be accessible whenever Garver Feed Mill is open, operating on the honor system as long as the electricity is on.
Source: isthmus.com.
