Darren Conkerite has spent nearly three decades building something that Riverside didn't know it needed until he opened the doors. A Riverside City College alum who later earned a business degree from Cal State San Bernardino, Darren spent nearly a decade working for the Golden Cheese Company in Corona before a different kind of vision took hold. By 1988, he was spending time in downtown Riverside, drawn to the Mission Inn corridor and the Fox Theater neighborhood. What he saw was a city with character but few places to simply gather. In 1996, he and his partner opened Back to the Grind on University Avenue — one of the first coffee houses in Riverside — and have been at it ever since.
From the beginning, Darren's idea of a coffee shop was bigger than coffee. He opened early and stayed open late, often until midnight in the early years, seven days a week. He made room for open mic nights, book clubs, game groups, and community organizations of every kind — political events, nonprofit meetings, baby showers. The shop became a proving ground for the idea that a neighborhood place could be genuinely useful to its community, not just a spot to grab a drink. That philosophy, more than any single program or event, is what Darren credits for Back to the Grind's staying power.
Now in his fourth decade as a small business owner, Darren still comes in most days. He's known for remembering regulars' orders, for keeping the space open to artists and causes that don't have anywhere else to go, and for the kind of quiet consistency that turns a coffee shop into a landmark. Back to the Grind recently added a 50-seat venue downstairs, hosting magic shows and mentalist performances on a regular schedule — another experiment in what a community space can be.
How many times have you summited Mt. Rubidoux? More than 100, easy. He and his partner have made the climb together for years now. It's beautiful exercise, and the mountain is a staple.
What is your favorite restaurant outside of Downtown Riverside? Mario's Place. "We model ourselves after the brothers," he says.
What is the most beautiful building in Riverside? He struggles to pick just one. The building he works in every day stops him first — the architecture alone is worth appreciating. From there: the Municipal Auditorium, with its poured-concrete figures and ornamental details; the old library, with its doves; and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Riverside, with its distinctive earthen exterior.
What is your favorite Riverside small business? Too many to name just one. His list includes DragonMarsh for herbs and potions; Downtowne Bookstore, which he admires through both ownership eras — the longtime women owners and the current owner alike; Gram's BBQ, now spanning multiple generations; Bree Dance Studio, one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the city; and seamstress Toni Moore, whose staying power and generational work ethic he deeply respects.
What is your favorite Riverside nonprofit? AIDS foundations and LGBTQ organizations.
When do you visit the Festival of Lights? On a Tuesday. Less hectic.
What is your go-to sandwich in town? Simple Simon's, Butch's Grinders, or the Upper Crust Sandwich Shoppe — he has loyalty to all three.
What does a perfect weekend day in Riverside look like? It starts with exercise — climbing the mountain. Then coffee or orange juice at Back to the Grind, some errands, and eventually an afternoon at Arts Bar & Grill with friends. A stroll through a museum rounds it out.
What is your favorite spot for a date night? After so many years together, date night looks like dinner and a movie with a core group of close friends.
Do you call it the Galleria or Tyler Mall? The Galleria.
If you could put a message on a billboard on the 91, what would it say? "Slow down and be kind to everybody. Try it for a week."
What are you working on right now, and how can readers support you? Back to the Grind has become an activities destination. The shop now runs a weekly magic show in its 50-seat downstairs venue, with two shows one Saturday a month featuring top-notch mentalists and specialty performers. The goal is to fill every day of the week with live programming. Stop in, bring a friend, and see what's on the calendar.
Neighbor of the Week is our way of celebrating the hidden heroes of Riverside—those who go above and beyond to make our community stronger, kinder, and more vibrant. We believe every remarkable Riversider deserves their story told. Know someone who’s making a difference? Nominate a Neighbor of the Week
The free morning clinic that shaped a generation of Inland Empire athletes will shut its doors June 15, ending a nearly half-century run that transformed sports medicine across the region.
