Trader Joe's Opening In Palm Springs? No Way!
Desert Observer's pageTrader Joe's is coming to Palm Springs? I don't think so. Last evening in the Palm Springs city council chambers we saw the opening (and closing) of a one-act performance with a Hawaiian theme and colorful floral leis for everyone. The city's Neighborhood Involvement Committee members, dressed to kill in Hawaiian shirts, presented Mayor Steve Pougnet with a stack of petitions containing more than 6300 signatures requesting Trader Joe's open a store in Palm Springs. Those folks - and they surely give new meaning to "optimism" - honestly believe that Trader Joe's will open another store just a few miles away from an existing location on the Cathedral City side of Palm Springs city limits.
It's not going to happen! The signature gathering petition effort may cause Trader Joe's to reassess their existing Cathedral City location and possibly move it to larger quarters in Palm Springs. As for opening an entirely new Palm Springs location, it's not in the cards. Look at the economics, population density, and location options. Nothing adds up that would make a new store in Palm Springs a better decision than opening one in a more centralized location elsewhere in the valley.
Looks like those enthusiastic folks, in their pursuit of Hawaiian-themed Trader Joe's, may have imbibed one too many Mai Tai beverages. If their pounding the pavement gathering signatures resulted in healthful exercise, then something practical may have been accomplished. Trader Joe's, of course, has to be delighted by all the attention and free publicity. As for the Neighborhood Involvement Committee folks, they'll have to go back to doing whatever it is they usually do until something else comes up.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
April 3, 2008
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