Taste of Palm Springs showcases local businesses, thriving economy

The city of Palm Springs has a lot to celebrate:

“We did $1.2 billion dollars in taxable retail sales just in the city of Palm Springs last year, which is incredible,” said James Canfield, president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

This year the Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Business Expo and Taste of Palm Springs at Colony 29.

Local shops and eateries were happy to share their services, and boast about the city’s booming tourism.

“Palm Springs is becoming an all-year resort rather than a seasonal resort,” said Willie Rhine, general manager of Lulu California Bistro. “So this is an opportunity for people who took a little rest to remind everybody of the services they provide.”

This is the first year the event was held at Colony 29, a private residence and former artists community located at the end of west Baristo Road in Palm Springs. It is managed by McLean Company Rentals and owned by Dave Johnston of D.W. Johnston Construction, Inc.

Colony 29 played host while downtown Palm Springs is under construction.

“We didn’t want to get in the way of that and just found this beautiful setting,” Canfield said.

“We melded the landscape and the venues into kind of a synergy and something that’s special for the city of Palm Springs,” Johnston said.

“I’m ready to move in,” said Palm Springs resident Janice Gough.

As twilight set in, a band provided by Village Pub began to play at the foothill of the mountain. Visitors and locals sipped on wine, and filled up on some of the best dishes the city’s restaurants have to offer.
They told us they’re looking forward to what they hope is another profitable year.

“The food is just incredible, and what you can see, where else would you want to be tonight?” Gough said.