Had high hopes for this bookstore. Especially since it was remodelled and new ownership if I'm not mistaken. Staff was not welcoming at all. Atleast the older gentleman that was there. Children's section was small and don't have any classic books. Everything was so political and liberal. (Not just books for gifts) Which doesn't fit a bookstore. Wish they could have just focused on books and had a great section for children with seating and all. This was more of a "doing it for the 'gram" type of store read more

Downtowne Bookstore is in Riverside. It is the nicest bookstore with a huge selection of books and some gifts. They have new and used books and have it all from history to novels. It is family owned and a true independent book store. The owner is wonderful and the staff is just great. They have good prices and I bet they have what you want. It is clean and well organized and if you need help, they will help you. They pretty much know everything they have. If they don't have a book you want they will order it for you. read more

I haven't been here in such a long time and stopped by on a whim looking for a birthday present. I was surprised to see it's completely renovated the space looks beautiful and feels fresh and updated. The cashier was polite and welcoming, which made the experience even better. I ended up buying a book-themed coffee mug for $20, which felt a little pricey in my opinion, but it was for a birthday present so I went with it. That said, I do miss the old charm it used to have, along with the original owner who gave the shop such a personal touch. Overall, it's still a great spot to browse and pick up a gift just a little different from what I remember in a nostalgic way. read more

Came here on a Saturday afternoon with a friend while we were in the area exploring Downtown Riverside and decided to pop in here and check it out. Staff were very friendly, a young man. Selection - I ended up getting this Bob Ross Card & Stickers since my friend used to always watch Bob Ross videos whenever he got stressed out with our college classes. Value - pricier side, but I'd said typical for bookstores like this, so fair. Ambiance and vibe inside the store was really nice and cute too! Would recommend checking this place out! read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Bob Ross Card & Stickers 7/11/26 - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

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I enjoyed all the book selections in the great variety and all the multicultural and genres were vast the only concern was there wasn't a big Manga or comic book section outside of that it's an amazing vibe read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Hours - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

This bookstore is located less than a block away from Riverside's famous Mission Inn. The store features two separate sections, each with its own entrance: one located on Main Street and the other accessible via a walkway along the side of the store. The Main Street entrance takes you into a store that has some books but mostly gift items and knick-knacks. I popped in and out of here quickly because I mainly wanted to check out used books. Those can be found by going to the side entrance down the walkway. The used book store is very well organized by categories, and books in each category are shelved alphabetically, making everything easy to find if you are after something specific. Some categories are far better stocked than others. The category I was most interested in was a bit sparse so I didn't end up purchasing anything this day. On the pathway to the used books entrance is a kiosk where you can leave a poem. Cool idea. If you like a good bookstore this will be a place you'll enjoy spending a little time browsing. read more

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The vibes at the Downtowne Bookstore are incredible. I'll start with the staff. When I walked in, they were so welcoming. They explained that they have two store fronts- a new, more curated one that's facing the street and the original around the corner with more second hand books. They also obviously love each other and I love that I happened to be in when they did a little birthday surprise for one of their employees. I appreciate that the bookstore is oriented towards justice. They had a large range of books and really elevated diverse authors and stories. What's cool is that they had a whole bunch of signed books in the back! They have a great selection. It's so important to support local bookstores and I absolutely loved this one! read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

Downtown bookstore is an amazing little spot that really hits all the musical notes of everything you want into a bookstore. My fiancée, and future mother in law came by and they have two stores, one in the back and one in the front. The back is more of the bookstore with plenty of sections to find what you're looking for all organized for you. It seems they work on doing orders for any books you're looking to get in too. The front is more of a shop but it still has plenty of books for you to look through. I really love the logo for this place and I really enjoy the section outside to read, along with the little things they have outside to leave notes for random people, dog treats and book exchange. Their prices are pretty fair and they have amazing service on top of that. I really enjoyed this store and look forward to going back. read more

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I wanted to love this bookstore so badly. Cute location near Mission Inn, cute merch, cute concept... but the vibes were unfortunately not it. I spent some time browsing and noticed another customer was immediately greeted and helped, while I kind of just... existed there. I asked about gift wrapping and was told they don't offer it (no big deal!), then asked if I could buy the wrapping paper they sell and use tape to wrap it myself. Also a no. I even popped into the secondhand bookstore (which I was excited about), and while the employee there was friendly, same result. It's not about gift wrap, it's about customer service. The store looks like a cozy, welcoming bookstore, but the experience felt cold and uninviting. Which is a bummer, because I love supporting local and this place had so much potential. Sadly don't see myself coming back. read more

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This little book store/ celebration of art & music is a gem in downtown Riverside. A wonderful mix of used and new books, vintage and modern, with loads of adorable and eye-catching knickknacks to peruse. Don't miss this sweet store when you are in town. If not in town - make a little day trip down to the arts and culture area and check it out. read more

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I haven't been here in yearssss. I hadn't realized how much it has changed since then. I've always loved the little hidden entrance but inside looks even better than before. They have so many cute tote bags, thumb page holders, book bags etc. They even have an autographed copies section. It just looks so aesthetically pleasing inside and they even added a seating area outside if you wanted to hangout and read. Staff is also nice and welcoming. I'll definitely come back soon to buy a book :) read more

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I can just describe it as "fine." The selection of books is to me, lackluster. There is not much in the way of new books-- the vast majority are political texts: American liberal political texts. The used books are not too enjoyable either, nothing very interesting. The front store is modern and tasteful but still kinda bland. Same political motifs, nothing particularly fun to read. read more

Very friendly book store. All genres of books and such things. Knowledgeable, helpfull, reading staff. This store takes in previously read books and credits them for new & new to you books. Also, they have a sense of humor with fine suggestions. read more

A fun little gem in town. Wonderful welcoming service. Hidden pathway down the sidewalk where the Saturday farmers market is held. I love these kinds of bookstores throughout the city. An escape from the fast pace. An oasis to get lost in before the next calendar alert appears. read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

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The Downtowne Bookstore is maybe a hundred yards from the Mission Inn. The area is filled with quaint shops, including this one. You do not see many Used Bookstores any more. In the past, we would be both buyers and sellers, after we were done with our books. But thanks to the pandemic or maybe just escalating rents, a lot of these enchanting places just closed up. We stopped in a few weeks ago and really had a blast going through the place. Ended up buying a wonderful James Joyce I hadn't read: "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man." The owner was both inviting and friendly, while also allowing you to browse. Btw, he really loves owls. read more

FABulous New Extension of Riv's Oldest Bookstore near the Mission Inn! The delightful new owner exudes positivity & upbeat energy as a powerhouse of vision! She bought the back-store, hidden gem accessible via a side path from her new Main St storefront expansion! Its a destination w/ it's light & airy mindfulness & her intentionality to create spaces honoring the art of writing, visuals & music w/ her aqua upright piano that brings musicians in to play for Art Walk every 1st Thurs night. Come Support This Female Visionary & admire her husband's artistry, creator of the store's logo a Flying Owl whose wings are ingeniously fluttering book pages! It's a space you'll want to stay in browsing before purchasing a variety of goodies because supporting community is a WIN-WIN !!!! read more

a beautiful selection and store, the service was so great and the person working the counter when i went was so helpful! i would def go again :) read more

I really love coming to this bookstore! The entrance is so cute, and inside has great vibes. They definitely have more of a mass market paperback selection, although I have made some great non-paperback finds as well. I think prices are pretty reasonable, definitely less than an average bookstore but more than a library book sale. read more

This place feels so hidden from all the cool things in Downtown Riverside ! When I was first introduced I couldn't believe it ! I then took my friends & family & they too were impressed! This second time I went i noticed they did alot of changes & cleaned up on the look inside during the festival of lights! It really highlighted the bookstore & made it feel more cozy - Good book finds here . YOU MUST SEE FOR YOURSELF read more

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Bookstores are like the gravitational pull of a black hole but instead of the infinite unknown inside, there's a wonderful world of lovely books and their particular aromas, especially when used. This fascination began by the time I was in second grade, this and libraries in my hometown. I can't exactly remember when I first saw this used bookstore in downtown Riverside but it might have been circa 2003/2004. Then, when I first started teaching at a couple universities I remembered to go hein search of reference materials. Over the years I've bought and traded a lot of books. Most used shops these days refuse to buy collections unless they have especially good merits. This is probably a good thing because when I worked in a shop in Michigan, it only took a few years before books piled up and the clutter probably deterred a lot of people. Fortunately, this shop controls that problem well, and along with a good general stock in each topic and section, alphabetical by author, the prices are fair too. While I don't always find something when I visit, I do enjoy the browse. read more

Sure a kindle is nice but there's really no replacing a real live book in your hands. At least in my opinion. If you don't mind used books and are looking to help a small business you'll definitely want to go down the rabbit hole that is the Downtowne Bookstore. Located on Main St next to the Mission Inn and across from the very loud (it was Sunday Brunch time) Proabition, the Downtowne Bookstore has a neat location. You'll see the sign and have to walk down a small alley to get there. I loved it. Inside you'll find wall to wall books from any category you can think of. Cookbooks, poetry, self help or fiction. You name it, you find it. The prices are excellent. At least 50% off of list. There even 99 cent books at the sign on the street. Since the categories are alphabetized by Author, it was super easy to find your favorite writer. The Downtowne Bookstore survives off of donations, so if you're looking to move a library or just have some books you don't need anymore bring them here. Otherwise, help a small business by perusing the shelves and finding your next read! Highly recommended! read more

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Highest Recommendations! If you have not been to this bookstore in Riverside, check it out! I typically go in to browse and cannot leave without buying a book or a sticker. I've gotten gifts here for kids and adults and the selection is diverse! I am grateful to live in Riverside and to have access to a bookstore that sells books that have been banned in several states. The staff is helpful and welcoming as soon as you enter! Thank you Downtowne Bookstore for all that you do! read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Here are a few of the titles featured at the bookstore! - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

cute little bookstore but no books inside I found interesting. Lots of old books looking for a new home.

So beautiful! A new take on this Riverside classic! 100% support! The old school bookstore is still here with a new modern twist! Will be coming back for sure! read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

The owner is the sweetest woman in the world! She explains the art in the bookstore clearly and continues to maintain the space in an organized manner. Do inquire about the art works and feel free to ask her if she has anything that you are looking for. Not to mention, you should really ask her about the owls around the store because it is themed. Loved walking through these shelves and finding some interesting books. I wondered what else this spot offered and found the art offered to be truly outstanding and inspiring. More than anything, they are open and in business! So please go in and say hi! read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Book page wreath - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

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Downtowne Bookstore is a gem in downtown Riverside! It's not your average bookstore, it has a good selection of books(used/new). We love the children selection and specifically the bilingual books for our little one. This is the perfect place to find a book for yourself, gift a book or find gifts for friends and family who love to read. The unique Items at the counter always catch my attention. If you are visiting Riverside or are a Riverside local, there is something for everyone here. read more

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OMG!!! I love this Book store more now then I did before. Not only is it still woman owned, but now it is Black owned too. They have renewed the space and made it inviting and clean! Plus, they have an amazing selection of new books and old as well as everything I don't need but have to have! lol!!! The service is exceptional. Everything in priced fairly, the only catch is you want to buy everything which is going to hurt the pocket regardless. Lmao!!! Way better than the larger book stores!!! Any wait to go back read more

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I visited the bookstore for the first time with my two kids after going to the farmers market. My kids had so much fun wandering the aisles. It's not often that you see an independent bookstore so I was excited to check it out. There is a large selection of books and the store was well organized which made browsing easier. The staff was amazing and professional. They didn't hesitate to answer questions and the woman behind the register gave my kids a few stickers at the end of our visit. I look forward to visiting again when I'm in the area. read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Downtowne Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

If you are visiting downtown Riverside, don't miss checking out this cute little independent book store nearby mission inn. The staffs here were super nice and helpful. I had a good chat with them when asking for some book recommendations. They carry both secondhand and new books. You can also buy some pretty Riverside raincross symbol merchandise. The only downside of this place was they may not have the books you were looking for. However, you can ask them to look for the books and have them order them for you. read more

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I'm so happy to see a BIPOC owned bookstore in the city of Riverside. I came out to the store for an author event and it was a wonderful place to meet the author and connect with others. The bookstore is beautiful and the owner is a caring and wonderful person. They have a really great selection of children's books which is what I was looking for. I definitely recommend coming here because I support local and especially women owned businesses. And because they put on events for the community, I think it's a wonderful business to support. If you're in downtown Riverside for dining you absolutely must stop in and browse their wonderful selection, then pick up a new book for your To Be Read list! read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator, author giving a talk - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

When you first walk in you are greeted by the smell of books and beautiful artwork of book covers. To your right are new featured authors, to your left, a mixture of old classics. I love the way they file the books. One section is called "Love & War" which is a mixture of love stories on one side, and a history of wars and battles on the other. The workers are very friendly and you are surely able to find any genre of your liking. I am excited for the NEW & IMPROVED DOWNTOWNE BOOKSTORE!! read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Daddy Daughter Date at the new and Improved "Downtowne Bookstore". - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

Located between Mission Inn and the Convention Center around other wonderful independent niche stores. The perfect location to stroll around and find one of a kind items. The bookstore has a nice selection of books as well as souvenirs. If you love books you'll enjoy this store. Highly recommend. read more

I visited the store on Saturday August 31, 2024. I have been there several times over the years and made purchases on most visits. Since the change in ownership, I have found fewer of the old children's books that I look for as a collector and bookseller (since 1988). 95% or more of the books in this category are modern barcode-era books. I found one book, an ex-library copy of a Doris Fein mystery called Quartz Boyar. It as an average library copy with all of the usual marks, shelf labels, etc. It is a reading copy. Not a collectible. The price was marked $4.50 and I thought "OK, I've been meaning to try this series." When I brought it to the counter, the clerk, whom I do not believe was the owner, started to ring it up as $45.00. Having books unpriced, leaving books with old prices, or changing a price when the book is brought up are all sighs of highly unprofessional behavior. I was a full-time managar of an antiquarian bookstore in San Diego for a dozen years (1988-2000) so I am familiar with normal and preferred practices. This experience was completely contrary to that should happen. There are very few used and antiquarian bookstores in the Riverside county area. Most have been driven out of business. I would hope that the ones that remained would do so because they were the best in their field. I cannot see any reason to return to a store that will play games like this and does not care to invest in an eraser to remove old prices and decides to "look up prices" of unsold copies online without recognizing WHY they remain unsold. read more

I absolutely love Downtowne Bookstore! I've been to the this bookstore before the new owner started their transformation, and it was cute. But what the new owners are doing is wonderful! Not only is there more diversity in the selection, but the staff does a great job thoroughly reviewing their current selection and organizing/pricing them accordingly. Moreover, the staff is very knowledgeable of their inventory, as well as books as a whole. They're off to a great start and I hope it continues to grow as it has been, educating the city and bringing life back to reading in a culture that's overly saturated in technology. read more

Okay, so if you ever had a friend or family member discover that you liked something - say elephants, frogs, strawberries, cats, etc., and then for every birthday, or other gift-giving occasion they bestow you with another collectible in that theme, then you have to stop in here. That was long-winded sentence! All to alert you to the phenomenon that is Downtowne Bookstore. The owner's sons have sent their mother on an odyssey of owl collecting. She estimates there are at least 400 owl-themed items in her store. They adorn shelves, cases, walls, and more around the front quadrant of the shop. Paintings, sculptures, stuffed animals, useful items like a jewelry holder - all feature the visage of the mysterious owl. It is a sight to see! In addition to that unique factor, the used book shop with lots of character has a charming location with a Main Street address, but is actually tucked down a narrow walkway. One caveat - you might want to bring a folding fan, as it can get quite warm in the store. I haven't been doing much leisure reading lately - blame it on bingeing some great TV shows instead. I did pick up two novels for $7.50 total, and look forward to enjoying them with my feet up soon! This bookstore is a hidden gem, housing a varied collection of reading materials for reasonable prices. If that's your jam, please check it out! read more

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Independent bookstore with charm, bookish decor and an enjoyable alleyway with seating. The bookstore had attention to detail with literary merchandise, labeled sections, and a relaxing environment to browse. The selection was varied and prices on used books were fair. I found some treasures and could have found more! read more

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I love this bookstore. I've been an admirer, a visitor and customer for a while now. The best customer service and the vicinity is covered with knickknacks, artwork, and production art. It matches the historic era of downtown quite beautifully. There is a wide variety of children and adult books ranging from cooking and politics to humor and linguistics. My favorites are the philosophy, anthropology, art, physics and astronomy sections. Even if you're not sure what you're looking for, the right book will find you. I found couple of my favorite books from here, The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard and The Dance of Life by Edward T. Hall. I just recently discovered their art and architecture section and took home The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franck. Beautiful book selection at fair prices. read more

Downtowne Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California

The lady who helped us was so cool. She collects owls! The bookstore itself has a little alley to walk through to get through so not directly off of the street. They have a good selection and the store is a pretty good size. read more

This is a great independent bookstore & I love the direction the BIOPC women that own it have taken it. It's nice to be able to browse both new & used books in such a unique spot. read more

Wish I could come into this place more often! I discovered this amazing book store in downtown riverside about 2 years ago while enjoying the Christmas holiday festivities thrown in the area every year The moment you walk in you are graced with the lovely smell of old books (we all agree book smells great right?) I've only been in a handful of times but I've always been greeted with kindness which is much appreciated especially in times like this. The store is full of so much variety there's books on cooking, politics, romance, science, etc. If you're ever in the area please go in! In the front by the registers they've got beautiful little necklaces, bookmarks, and fairy stones (as seen in my picture) read more

Downtowne Bookstore - fairy stone and bookmark - Bookstores Near Me - Riverside, California