Hello bookies! It has been SO long since I've blogged, and now that I've started my new venture with a mobile bookstore, I'm starting a fresh new blog!
Yes, it’s true-- I STARTED A MOBILE BOOKSTORE! I finally decided to bring my 5-year vision of The Spine and Vine Mobile Bookstore to life after finding the perfect vehicle for my bookstore dreams. With the help of close friends and community, we built my bookstore on the back of a 1971 Volkswagen Double Cab Transporter. I still can’t believe it! I’m only three months into my business, and it’s already been a wild ride (pun intended)!
The way I think of it, my mobile bookstore is the “book version” of a food truck. My venues always change, and the people do, too. I can go wherever, whenever, and find book lovers who might not necessarily be spending their day inside of a bookstore.
HER NAME IS DEWEY (as in Dewey Decimal). I had no idea how much attention this VW would get, not only from book lovers, but the VW community as well. What I’ve come to learn very quickly is VW people are my people—they are dreamers and storytellers, alike. People love to stop me at intersections and tell me all about the 1968 van they used to camp in, the bug they got as their first car, and the VWs they currently own. When I’m at an event, I know I won’t just be chatting books, but I’m chatting with people about their nostalgic VW stories, too. The past three months have been better than I ever could have imagined, and I’ve loved connecting with you all and building community over a shared love of books.
So far, Dewey and I have made 23 stops. We also won our category for the 4th of July parade! (The family was pretty excited about that one.) We are frequently popping up at The Cookie Crew, The Temecula Sunset Market, Wiens Cellars, and Vail Headquarters. We’ve also made stops at Danza Del Sol Winery, Altisima Winery, Vitaglìano Winery, and some local school events, too. I am headed into the fall, very excited about all that is to come.
I started The Spine & Vine brand in 2020, with a huge vision, and am proud to be making that a reality which is why I've kept The Spine & Vine name. Thank you to all who have been following along since the beginning of my book and wine blog and Bookstagram days. And, thank you to all of you who are new supporters. I've had so much fun connecting with the community, and am excited about future projects I already have brewing!!
Stay tuned for more ;)
--Mel