Cellar Door Bookstore - Riverside, California

Nicolle Crawford

This is my new favorite book store. I loved the options in the Fantasy section. I will definitely be going back when I finish the last stack of books I bought there.

M. Erwin

I cannot recommend this little shop enough. The book selection is carefully curated to showcase authors who may not get the recognition they deserve in corporate shops. I went to an author meet and greet here that was facilitated beautifully and well attended. The book club selection is extensive - there is truly something for everyone. This place is a treasure.

Sofia Rodriguez

I love supporting local book shops and they work with you on ordering books you're interested in 🙂 I've also pre-ordered from here twice and had great experiences. The selection is diverse and the bookstore itself has book clubs sometimes. there's also a very cute dog

Nati Perez

I’m currently healing from a traumatic brain injury and have found refuge in audiobooks. So I was so excited to find that cellar door has various book clubs! I checked out their calendar, spoke to a gentleman on the phone and got myself ready for July’s Bookclubs!

Wanting to check out their Feminist, Diverse Romance, and Latinx Bookclubs, I spent the last month reading The Lost Journals of Sacajewea, Before I Let Go, and Velvet was the Night. I figured I’d check out which club I connected with the most.

I went to attend the Feminist Book Club on 7/2, but the store was closed. Weird but discovered their AC was broken and had moved all their Bookclubs to zoom meetings. Totally understandable! When I asked if I could receive the zoom links for the Diverse Romance&LatinX Bookclubs - I was denied. I guess I couldn’t receive the zoom links unless I purchased the actual book from Cellar Books. 🙁

There was no mention of this during my initial phone call, nor online. I feel like I was blindsided. Especially because I spent the last month getting on my library’s waitlist, using my audible credits, and actually getting through the books in preparation for the month of July. I currently can’t read physical books because of my TBI vision struggles and I’ve opted for an audible annual membership. I tried to explaining my circumstances and was even planning on purchasing future bookclub books once I checked out the clubs. It would be amazing to support a local bookstore. But there was no budging. My husband seeing how defeated i felt, even tried contacting the bookstore just to try to convince them, but no luck. He was even just going to purchase the books/audio membership just so I could attend the remaining book clubs in July but I told him not to spend the money. Why would I invest in them when they weren’t willing to open doors?

And I know it’s not a big deal to them but for me it was: I’ve spent the last couple of years in dark rooms, not being able to speak, drive, dress myself, watch tv, go out in the sun, work, dance and live the active and vibrant lifestyle I once had. Audiobooks have literally saved me and it wasn’t until recently that I’ve felt physically able to finally put myself out there and maybe join a bookclub. Meeting so many barriers with Cellar Doors just sucked all around.

Btw, the female front desk person- her people skills need work.

Also, please update your bookclub page online. There was no mention that all Bookclubs had moved to zoom on the actual Bookclub page

Yvette Dubel

This was my first visit to the new location and I had to write a review. This is everything I want from my neighborhood bookstore. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable. If you have an obscure interest you'll especially ❤️ this place because of how helpful they are.The space is cozy and inviting. I can't wait to go back when I have time to hang out. Let's support this place folks!!

Daniela Louise D'Elia

The staff was so incredibly kind and helpful. I wanted a few books they didn’t have in stock and they ordered them for me to pick up later, and recommended a few that matched with those genres. Can’t wait to come back. ?

Brianne Tengwall

I love the new location!!!! Bought some puppets, stickers, and had to promise to bring back my 13 year old on payday so she could get a few more titles. <3 excited to come back for more recommendations and the absolutely lovely service.

Trinity Bull

This shop has a super friendly and talkative staff, which makes the place feel extremely inviting and safe. The shop isn't too big, but I much prefer it to larger places such as Barnes and Noble as I've found Cellar's selection is much more openly diverse and inclusive, so you will find many great reads that B&N might never offer in store. Make sure to bring a mask when visiting as they still require them for the safety of both staff and customers, which I appreciate. It's an LGBTQ+ welcoming shop that I definitely recommend if you're looking for somewhere to get your books!