Patch Notes: February Release
We’ve released a major update across Rowan’s Tavern. The most exciting addition is full patron accounts. We’re working hard to create a space where you feel included in the process — and that starts with giving you more autonomy across the site: leaving comments, rating and reviewing books, and much more.
Primary Feature Changes
New Store
We’ve launched a redesigned store experience. Payments are still securely handled through Square, but this new system allows us to apply custom banners (Community Choice, Sales, etc.), display star ratings, and build a more dynamic shopping experience.
New Blog
The blog may look familiar, but under the hood it has been completely rebuilt. Admins now have a browser-based editor, and we are preparing to open future contribution opportunities to our patrons. Creating a stable backend writing tool is the first step toward welcoming regular guest contributors.
We’ve also introduced account-anchored comments and social share buttons so you can easily share the article you’re reading with your platforms.
Live Bookseller
This is both exciting and slightly overwhelming: you can now talk with me directly through our new Live Bookseller feature. No pressure sales, no automated funnel of endless nonsense — just a real conversation about books and games.
Accounts
This is our largest and most important addition. Personal accounts will drive much of what we build next — browser-based games, community competitions, interactive spaces, personalized experiences, and more.
A major focus is email autonomy. You can opt-in to specific types of notifications. We know how frustrating endless unwanted emails can be. With us, you choose exactly what you want to hear about — and future communications will go only to those who opt in.
Summary Note
This release touched nearly every page on the site. As a solo developer, this was a significant shift, and while we’ve tested carefully, you may encounter some bugs. I appreciate your patience as we refine and stabilize these systems.
Here are a few items we’re actively monitoring:
| Problem | Description | Expected Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Dumping Cart | When proceeding to checkout, the cart currently clears automatically. This prevents accidental duplicate purchases, but it can be frustrating if checkout fails and you must refill your cart. We’re working toward a smarter solution. | 2/22/2026 |
| Live Chat Notifications | The system indicates that I’m notified when a live chat request is made. We are testing to confirm reliability in the live environment. During regular business hours, the chat dashboard is actively monitored. Expect early-stage adjustments as this tool stabilizes. | 2/22/2026 |
| Stars in Review | Review stars now resemble aggregate reviews from our users. By default it is set to 0 when there are no reviews. When reviews are aggregate evenly between two numbers, it is rounded up. There are two kinds of reviews - Customer reviews, and our reviews. | Completed |
| RSVP Notifications | The RSVP feature for events is new and undergoing testing. We are validating that communication flows correctly to both you and to us. As events begin to roll out, we will continue refining this system. | 3/1/2026 |
If you notice any bugs while exploring the site, please let us know! You can reach us on Facebook or email me directly at rhett@rowanstavern.com. Thank you for your continued support.