Filled with the humming of conversations, woven pendant lights hanging from the ceiling, and lively music serving as the backdrop, the Notebook Cafe launched its soft opening on Saturday, June 6. Located in the heart of Downtown, the soft opening functioned as a trial run for the business, allowing employees to experience the workflow and settle into their roles more seamlessly and efficiently.
Notebook Cafe was an idea brought to life by brothers John and Michael Leyba, along with Michael's wife, Julia. By creating a comforting environment, the family hopes to provide a space where residents can momentarily step away from the challenges of daily life.
"Times are tough right now—everything is expensive," co-owner John Leyba said. "Even if it's just 30 minutes, we want to be a place where people can step away, reset, and then go back to their day feeling better."
At first glance, one thing that may catch a customer's eye is the cafe's name. While it may be easily mistaken for a reference to the popular film The Notebook, the name instead reflects the idea of versatility. Like a notebook, the space is meant to serve multiple purposes—from enjoying drinks to relaxing or getting work done.
"We were thinking about how a notebook is something everyone uses," Leyba said. "You can journal in it, take notes for school, write things for work—it's multipurpose and universal. So the cafe becomes that kind of environment—a place for whatever you need."
One of the most enticing aspects of the cafe is its diverse menu, helping it stand out among the many coffee shops in the area. With over 30 drink options and a variety of food items, customers are likely to find something that suits their tastes.
"The options make the cafe stand out, for sure," customers Sandra Rodriguez and Sam Vasquez said. "They have things like refreshers and kid-friendly choices, which a lot of places don't. You can always try something new instead of ordering the same thing every time. We ordered a little bit of everything—we got avocado toast, cheesecake, matcha, a banana latte, and a pistachio latte."
Across the board, several food items quickly emerged as clear fan favorites. Popular drinks include the banana cream matcha, vanilla latte, pistachio latte, and café de olla cold brew. On the food side, avocado toast, sandwiches, and cheesecake stood out among customers.
"My favorite was definitely the banana latte," Vasquez said. "I get banana coffees everywhere, and this is honestly the best one I've had. It's not too sweet—it's really smooth. But everything was good."
Many customers traveled long distances to attend the soft opening.
"We drove about an hour and twenty minutes from Orange County to get here," Rodriguez said. "It was definitely worth it. We are coming back for sure."
With Riverside already home to a wide range of coffee shops, standing out in a competitive market requires businesses to establish a clear identity. For Notebook Cafe in particular, that identity centers on community and connection.
"Every cafe has its own identity, but for us, it's about quality, experience, and guest service," Leyba said. "We don't even like saying 'customer service'—we say 'guest service,' because we want people to feel like family. We want to get to know them and create a welcoming environment."
Since the soft opening, reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers praising the interior design, menu variety, and overall atmosphere.
"I want them to feel the appreciation and love we have for this place," Leyba said. "We want that energy to carry over to everyone who walks in."
With the trial run now complete, Notebook Cafe is preparing for its grand opening on Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As the cafe begins its first chapter, its mission remains rooted in a simple idea: that each visitor brings their own purpose, their own experience, and ultimately, their own story with them through the door.
"At the end of the day, that's what this place is about," Leyba said. "Where every cup tells a story."
More information: Notebook Cafe is located at 3512 9th St. in downtown Riverside. Follow @thenotebookcafellc on Instagram for updates on the grand opening and beyond. The cafe is open seven days a week.
By Erik Chen
