08/22/2026
We need to begin with the most important and troubling news.
We have been closed for almost two weeks, and in that time ICE has sadly been very busy and all of our Mutual Aide organizations are in desperate need. Over 58 people have been taken in JULY leaving families desperate. As I write this, ICE is in Riverside destroying families, so please help by dropping supplies off for families impacted by these brutal kidnappings. Here are the most requested items but every donation is appreciated! Rice, beans, oil, sugar, oatmeal, consome (chicken bouillon), pasta, fideo (soup), maseca, canned tomato sauce, instant coffee, pancake mix, flour, peanut butter, cinnamon, tuna, cereal, baby wipes, body wash, dish soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers (sizes 4, 5, and 7 are needed currently), and we have a special request for Similac Irish Farms Infant Formula with iron, and Pure Bliss Irish Farms Infant formula with iron.
With a huge sigh of relief and wave upon wave of gratitude, we have opened at our new location. Our hours are the same – Monday-Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-4. First and most of all, I want to thank Steven and Karen who worked so hard this past two weeks to pack and unpack over 125 boxes of books PLUS all the office, bathroom, chairs…well, you get it. Their dedication to this bookstore and its place in our community is truly how we have survived this past three years and how we will thrive in our new, welcoming location. When Jesse returned from vacation, he was a great help as well and is the wonder behind the Instagram posts you are enjoying. Thank all of you so much!
Do you like our décor? If so, you can thank Sara Smelser who has decorated each of our locations with such love, that brilliant decorator’s eye, and a budget to test …what am I saying, with no budget!!!! Her husband and our wonderful contractor Nate is seriously the reason you are safe- every shelf, wall hanging, lovely decorations on the walls are there because Nate can do anything! Remember Sam in Louis Sachar’s Holes- “I can fix that.” Well, that’s Nate!
The movers from Burgess were beyond wonderful. Take a look at all those shelves and books and think about moving it all- and those guys did it before it was too hot and with that same Sam the onion man attitude.
Jaime our new landlord and the owner of the laundromat next door (take a look at those washing machines! Beautiful and I know where I’ll be washing my larger items now!) and Solomon the manager and another I can fix anything person have made it possible to get this move done in record time. This is what it’s like to deal with people instead of corporations and we are looking forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship!
All that said, we hope you will share that we are open, come see our new space- Cellar Door has its personality again, and I think you’ll feel …not even sure what it is, but I like it.
