Temecula has no shortage of things to love, from the wine country roads to the charm of Old Town. But if you have not yet stepped into The Spine & Vine, you are missing one of the city’s most personal and community-driven shops. This indie bookstore is equal parts book haven and local gathering spot, and it has been winning over Temecula residents since its very first page.
How a 1971 VW Bus Started It All
Owner Melissa Schultz is a former literature and writing professor with a lifelong love of books. She traces it back to age four, when her great-grandmother took her to get her first library card. That love eventually became a business.
In April 2024, Melissa launched The Spine & Vine as a mobile bookstore out of a restored 1971 Volkswagen Transporter, making its debut on National Independent Bookstore Day. The Temecula community showed up strong, and the momentum never slowed. By late summer 2025, the shop found its permanent home at a brick-and-mortar storefront. Coming up on two years since that first VW pop-up, the store is now a true fixture in the city.
Your New Favorite Stop in Temecula
The storefront is open and ready for browsers, gift hunters, and anyone who just needs a good book recommendation.
📍 41789 Nicole Lane, Suite B5, Temecula, CA 92591
For current hours, visit the website or follow along on Instagram, where Melissa shares updates regularly.
What’s Waiting on the Shelves
The Spine & Vine carries far more than books. Here is what you will find inside:
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New and used books across fiction, romance, mystery, sci-fi, thrillers, and kids’ titles
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Bookish greeting cards for readers and non-readers alike
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Tote bags, mugs, book sleeves, stickers, and bookmarks
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Graphic tees and bookish apparel that make thoughtful, unique gifts
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Enamel pins, earrings, and fun accessories for the book lover in your life
Every product is hand-selected with real care. It shows. This is a completely different experience from scrolling through a chain retailer, and your dollar goes directly to a local business owner who lives and works in this community.
Events Worth Showing Up For
Melissa has always run The Spine & Vine as a community-first space, and the event calendar backs that up. Recent highlights include a holiday pop-up shop in December 2025 featuring live Christmas caroling by Chaparral’s Platinum FX Show Choir alongside fellow female-owned small businesses like Clark and Co. Boutique and The Current Co.
Looking ahead, National Independent Bookstore Day falls on April 25, 2026, exactly two years after the VW bus made its debut. Expect something worth marking on your calendar.
Other events to keep an eye on throughout the year:
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Books + Scones pop-ups at The Crafted Scone in Temecula Promenade
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Wine country book club meetups at Wiens Cellars in Temecula wine country
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Local market appearances across Temecula and neighboring Wildomar
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Author signings and new release celebrations tied to big literary launches
A Female-Owned, Indigenous-Owned Business Built on Community Support
The Spine & Vine is a female-owned and Indigenous-owned indie bookstore, and Melissa has always been open about how much the Temecula community made this dream possible. She built the business with local support, and she gives that back through every event, every pop-up, and every carefully curated shelf.
Supporting this shop is a direct investment in someone who is genuinely building something meaningful here. Spring is a great time to stop in, pick up your next read, and browse the new arrivals before the season gets busy.
Stop by The Spine & Vine and see what all the buzz is about. Whether you are a long-time Temecula local or just here for the wine weekend, it is the kind of place that turns a quick visit into a regular habit.
Want to keep discovering local businesses like this one? Browse more Temecula spotlights and find your next favorite spot in the valley.
Sources: thespineandvine.com, The Spine And Vine Facebook Page, The Spine And Vine Instagram Page
Header Image Source: The Spine And Vine Facebook Page
