By Camila Rocha
With a majority hispanic population, Riverside boasts an overabundance of Mexico-inspired restaurants and shops. However, no other shop opens a portal to the vibrant colors and festive traditions of Mexican culture like MiCultura – The Mexican Art and Gift Shop. Whether you are an experienced connoisseur of Mexico’s rich culture or just curious about one of Downtown Riverside’s most picturesque shops, MiCultura has a little taste of Mexico for all to enjoy!
Family and Culture Oriented Roots
Lovingly operated by the Becerra family, MiCultura was born from a passion for making the beauty of Mexican culture accessible to everyone. The shop is co-owned by the mother-daughter duo of Elizabeth and Kassandra Becerra, who receive assistance from father and son Raul Sr. and Raul Jr. After moving away from San Diego and the San Ysidro Mexican Border, the Becerra family found it more difficult to connect with their Mexican heritage. This inspired Elizabeth and Kassandra to open a gateway to their culture in the heart of Downtown Riverside.
Despite the hustle and bustle of running both a plumbing business and MiCultura, the Becerra family makes time to explore different Mexican states to bring Riverside the best selection of Mexican goods. Family-run workshops that produce authentic and hand-crafted items are also at the heart of this business. By offering a wide range of Mexican goods, MiCultura strives to introduce newcomers to Mexican culture and help locals connect to their cultural background despite being far from home.
A Captivating Atmosphere
When you walk through the doors of MiCultura, the love and attention to detail poured into the shop is clear. The ceilings are decorated with papel picado, items are arranged in ofrenda-style displays, and a grinning catrina and catrin greet you at the entrance. There are endless photo opportunities and displays reminiscent of Mexican street markets that draw visitors’ attention. One of the most eye-catching attractions of this small-business is a mural wall of a catrina with monarch butterflies spreading their wings through the shop. If you are looking for a store with a whimsical atmosphere, MiCultura has you covered!
An Authentic Slice of Mexico
When looking for genuine Mexican products in Riverside, MiCultura is the ideal shop. The products range from clothing items to stickers to tote bags—all inspired by Mexican culture!
Textiles and embroidered products are at the heart of Mexican culture and can be found by the dozen at MiCultura. The shop’s shelves and tables are lined with woven blankets and vibrantly patterned pillow covers. The shop also offers backpacks, tote bags, and clothing items including embroidered shirts and ponchos. With many of these items being crafted through traditional techniques, they make the perfect statement piece to any closet or home.
For lovers of handcrafted pottery and all things colorful, MiCultura offers an enchanting collection of Mexican talavera pottery. These pieces of pottery native to the Puebla and Guanajuato regions of Mexico are hand-painted by Mexican artisans and come in all shapes and sizes. The impressive variety includes vases, bowls, dishes, and serving platters that cater to all tastes. Traditional clay mugs are also a great addition to any pottery collection!
Mexican jewelry is known for its intricate beaded patterns and colorful stones. Even the jewelry pieces that aren’t made with traditional techniques are inspired by iconic Mexican designs and symbols like monarch butterflies and pan dulce.
MiCultura also offers an impressive collection of small trinkets. Concha mini-purses, sticker collections, notebooks, and even card games are scattered throughout the shop. The unique selection even includes items like avocado purses and prickly pear cactus pillows!
Location, Hours, and More
MiCultura is located at 3737 6th St. in Riverside, California. The shop is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and opens from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Weekend opening hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.
You can follow MiCultura through their Instagram at @miculturariverside and through Facebook at @MiCulturaRiverside!
For more information about MiCultura, call (951) 233-1960.
