Businesses settle into new locations after abrupt eviction

Businesses continue to settle into new locations after getting evicted from their stores in Palm Springs, all due to an apparent tenant-landlord dispute.

Landlords gave those businesses 60 days to get out; many had no idea where they would go.

Triton Tile owner Shanna Frey said the whole ordeal was a blessing in disguise.

“It was very shocking, and at first we couldn’t believe it. And we didn’t know how we were going to be able to make it through, but we did and we found one,” Frey said.

Despite their stressful eviction, Frey said the move is actually a good thing.

“We’re definitely more centrally located, we’re able to accommodate contractors more, we were able to get a forklift. So that’s been helpful,” Frey said.

They’re now at the corner of Cook Street and 42nd Avenue in Palm Desert.

Since moving into their new location, Frey said they’ve been able to utilize so much more space that they didn’t have in their previous location.

But the move did hurt the store financially.

“Being here, nobody knew we were here during the summer. So in a time that’s typically slow for us, it was even slower,” Frey said.

Rent at the new location is more expensive than before.

Triton Tile’s neighboring businesses have also moved on.

Galley 446 is no longer in operation.

KBC Palm Springs is in a new location just across the road from where it was.

Frey said the next step is getting the word out about the move so they can make up for the business they lost.

They’re holding a grand opening celebration on Dec. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.

“Once we get rolling, once we get the word out that we’ve moved here, I think we’ll be fine,” Frey said.

But business owners agree nothing will ever be as bad as their eviction nightmare.