Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Back in 1970, a restaurant called ‘Traveler’ opened its doors, offering not only delicious meals but books that you can take home with you for free. Sounds unbelievable, right? Who on earth would give away stuff for free? Well, as it turns out, the creator of this lovely little restaurant was a huge book lover, and after his house got completely filled with books, he decided to give most of them to his restaurant’s customers.
In 1993, the owners of the restaurant changed, but they continued this beautiful tradition and even made it bigger. “We give away 1 to 2 thousand books a week. We have expanded it to three books per person. The books come from many sources. Library book sales are our best but our customers are a very big contributing factor, not a single day goes by that someone doesn’t bring us books. We have given away approximately 2.5 million books since we have been here.” The owner told Bored Panda.
Yes, you heard it right, over 2 million books, and they are not planning to stop! “We have a horse trailer that we pick up books with. Some weeks we can go to 4 different libraries to pick up books. There is about 9 thousand books on our shelves for them to choose from.”
Scroll down to see the restaurant yourself!
More info: Traveler Restaurant
RELATED:
Back in 1970 a restaurant ‘Traveler’ has opened its doors, offering not only delicious meals but also free books that you can take home with you
Image credits: Nancy O
The founder, who’s a huge book lover, decided to give them to his restaurant’s costumers, since his house was completely filled up
Image credits: Dean_Amy
In 1993 the owners of this restaurant have changed but they continued this beautiful tradition, and even made it bigger
Image credits: Nancy O
“We give away 1 to 2 thousand books a week. We have expanded it to three books per person”
Image credits: Zuckie
Image credits: miss1ss1pp1
“We have given away approximately 2.5 million books since we have been here”
Image credits: BrowsingRoadside
Image credits: miss1ss1pp1
“There is about 9 thousand books on our shelves for them to choose from”
Image credits: Lionel
Turns out, many people have already visited this lovely restaurant, and here’s what they had to say
59Kviews
Share on Facebook
What do you think ?
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
What a lovely idea, and it's wonderful that the new owners have kept the tradition! So often do people want to change things, and only end up ruining what made it a great business in the first place!
Elke Bechtoldt 6 years ago
Me too! But then again we have these nice public library book cases all over the city where you can just take a book from (or bring books you don't want anymore to). I use them on a regular basis and don't really buy many books anymore. It's always nice to get inspired by chance what to read next. :-)
Load More Replies...
MizAdeleM 6 years ago
Been a long time since I have been there for lunch and a book on my way to Delaware with the old GF. Glad to see that they are still around!
Dowbo 6 years ago
Do they factor the cost of the books into their prices?
Load More Replies...
Calypso poet 6 years ago
I’ve been on Bored Panda every day for a couple weeks while recovering from a broken foot and today is the first I’m seeing this post. I wonder what other great posts I’ve missed.
Lynn Vesey 6 years ago
A favorite stop on our way to NY!! Delicious food, excellent prices and free books!!! Looking forward to going there next month. So happy to see the restaurant here on Bored Panda😊
Jaded Queen 6 years ago
My mother does the same, but on a small scale than this. We have all the kinds stacked from pocket books to hardcover.
Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago
What else could you need? Well, okay, maybe water and air but still.
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
What a lovely idea, and it's wonderful that the new owners have kept the tradition! So often do people want to change things, and only end up ruining what made it a great business in the first place!
Elke Bechtoldt 6 years ago
Me too! But then again we have these nice public library book cases all over the city where you can just take a book from (or bring books you don't want anymore to). I use them on a regular basis and don't really buy many books anymore. It's always nice to get inspired by chance what to read next. :-)
Load More Replies... MizAdeleM 6 years ago
Been a long time since I have been there for lunch and a book on my way to Delaware with the old GF. Glad to see that they are still around!
Dowbo 6 years ago
Do they factor the cost of the books into their prices?
Load More Replies... Calypso poet 6 years ago
I’ve been on Bored Panda every day for a couple weeks while recovering from a broken foot and today is the first I’m seeing this post. I wonder what other great posts I’ve missed.
Lynn Vesey 6 years ago
A favorite stop on our way to NY!! Delicious food, excellent prices and free books!!! Looking forward to going there next month. So happy to see the restaurant here on Bored Panda😊
Jaded Queen 6 years ago
My mother does the same, but on a small scale than this. We have all the kinds stacked from pocket books to hardcover.
Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago
What else could you need? Well, okay, maybe water and air but still.
Related on Bored Panda
383
39