You don’t have to be FROM here to be from here. Dr. Jungmiwha Bullock Nelson moved to Riverside in 2020, leaving Los Angeles after 20 years for a little quiet and some space to expand her multiple ventures and projects. In 2023, she purchased and reinvigorated the Downtowne Bookstore, which has been downtown Riverside’s only independent and woman-owned bookstore since 1979. What was a dusty novelty tucked behind the MIssion Inn Annex has, under Dr. Bullock become a viable book retailer and popular destination, as well as an emergent hub for community events.
Dr. Bullock brings her experience as a businesswoman and socialpreneur, socio/political scientist, philanthropist and activist to the city and she has built countless local connections. As a certified Riverside Master Gardener and Master Composter, she volunteers hundreds of hours to care for our local environment, from building out a 2 acre Monarch sanctuary in the County, to developing sustainable gardens and programs for schools, parks, and community organizations, and more. She has planted seeds in her little shop to further educate the community on horticulture and sustainability, and in the walkway leading to the bookstore we get to marvel at her green thumb. Visit the Downtowne Bookstore Instagram for information on book clubs, literary and fine art events, topical discussion groups and some spooky storytelling events coming up very soon in the newly restored basement. Please support local and pay the store a visit.
What is your favorite Riverside small business? Outside of Downtowne Bookstore, of course, I’ve also enjoyed the other handful of other women-owned small businesses in my same downtown corridor that have been the silent warriors to Riverside’s local economy, including Downtown Apothecary, Riverside Rustic, Gram’s BBQ, Raincross District, Cakebox, Toni Moore Clothing, Things They Love, T. Elliott’s, and so many others.
What is your favorite Riverside non-profit organization? Family Promise of Riverside. They have been a great partner and vital contributor in meeting the growing needs of Riverside’s vulnerable communities.
What is your idea of a perfect weekend day in Riverside? Wake up early, meditate, get my hands dirty in my gardens, head down to the Riverside Farmer’s Market. Take a stroll downtown, pop into the Downtowne Bookstore and engage with employees and customers, then check out an exhibition at the UCR Museum of Photography or Civil Rights Institute. Grab brunch at a local mom-and-pop restaurant, like Tio’s Tacos or Cafe Le Reve. Head over to the Citrus Park, local community center to play ball, or volunteer at a designated site as a UC Riverside Master Gardener. Grab something to plant from Louie’s or Parkside Nursery, get dirty some more, and enjoy the sunset from our property.
What is one place in Riverside you would bring back if you could Mission Inn Annex.
If you could put one message on a billboard on the 91, what would it be? This is a difficult one, SO many messages. For now, it would either be: Everyone has a Story. It’s Time to Write Yours. Or, my billboard would simply say...VOTE!
