Young entrepreneur’s lemonade stand wins community support, Downtowne Bookstore opens a new concept space, and crape myrtles burst into bloom across Riverside.
Young entrepreneur’s lemonade stand wins community support, Downtowne Bookstore opens a new concept space, and crape myrtles burst into bloom across Riverside.
Rotary International Riverside rolls up their sleeves! This past Saturday, volunteers came together to clean up their adopted stretch of Brockton Avenue—from 14th to Mission Inn—showing community spirit in action.(Steve Campbell) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Tuesday Gazette: August 5, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! A 9-year-old Ukrainian girl, newly arrived in Riverside after fleeing war, is finding her American Dream one cup at a time. Meliia’s story of setting up a simple lemonade stand has touched hearts across our city—and inspired her mom, Alina, to let her open up shop all week this week:
“Thank you for the article. It’s very sweet. Meliia is thrilled! I’ve allowed her to work all week. She’s waiting for her fans. Thank you — you made her so happy.”
One Gazette reader reflected on the story, saying, “I was 10 years old when my family moved to Riverside in 1965, just a year older than the girl in this photo. Back then, a kid could set up a lemonade stand without fear. Hard work mattered. Kindness meant something. And the American Dream still felt within reach, even if we didn’t yet realize how rare that was. This story took me back. Tiny glimmers. Maybe that’s how it starts again.🤞”
Sometimes it only takes a small stand on a corner to remind us what community, opportunity, and hope look like. If you’re near her stand this week, stop by to show her some love—you just might spot a Gazette staff member or two doing the same. Because when one dream starts to grow, Riverside roots for it.
Downtowne Bookstore Expands With a New Concept Location at Former Salvaged Treasures Storefront
Chapter Two debuts curated gift shopping for bibliophiles during August 7th ArtsWalk.
A small crowd gathered for a “sneak peek” at the new space. (Ken Crawford)
The Downtowne Bookstore will unveil its new "Chapter Two" location at 3580 Main during the August 7th artswalk, offering a more curated shopping experience while preserving the original store's back-alley charm.
Dr. Jungmiwha Bullock acquired the former Salvaged Treasures building in May, creating what she describes as "less for a lingering stroll among the stacks and more of a space to find a smart gift for a friend, co-worker, or yourself."
You're still browsing in the new space, but there's a browsing characteristic of used bookstores that's unique, and the new space shops more like a gift boutique than a bookstore. The new space may be more boutique than bookstore, but it is geared toward the bibliophile. Chapter Two represents a deliberate shift from the serendipitous discovery experience that defines traditional used bookstore browsing while maintaining focus on serious book lovers.
Riverside's crape myrtles put on their annual show, transforming from bare winter sticks to the city's most spectacular bloomers.
Crape myrtles are everywhere in Riverside, but Victoria Avenue stands apart with its seven miles of planned blooms—pink, red, purple, and white—dating back to 1892 and the vision of Franz Hosp. Every summer, the avenue bursts with color, but the real magic is in the winter when the trees look dead, bare and lifeless, leaving you wondering if they’ll come back. Then, almost overnight in spring, vibrant green shoots appear, followed by a dazzling floral explosion. It’s a cycle of surprise and faith that transforms the cityscape. If you don’t have a reason to travel Victoria Avenue every day, grab a cold drink and enjoy the ride through this stunning Riverside tradition.
The Riverside Public Library invites artists ages 0-17 to enter their Library Card Design Contest through September 27th, with winning artwork becoming an official library card design available at local branches.
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Baseball memories wanted for a special history project, August brings art, sports, and parades, and Riverside seeks final input on future housing designs.
