Egg Cafe in La Quinta closes doors for good
A local favorite is closing its doors for good Sunday.
Doriel Wyler, who owns Egg Cafe, a favorite for many locals and visitors, said there’s a number of reasons why she’s forced to close her doors.
“I’ve called the management company several times to try to get some kind of reduced rent or discount because customers are starting to call this place “The Zombie Center” cause there’s nothing here,” Wyler said.
When she opened her cafe in the La Quinta Village Shopping Center more than three years ago, business was great. But four months into her new business Ralph’s closed. She said it’s never been the same since.
“Four months in I was making pretty good money. People are coming. I’d meet people in the parking lot, it was full. I’d give out coupons and once that closed people just stopped coming. I just get drive-bys from people who are going to Starbucks,” Wyler said.
She said she’s not alone, other businesses have told her they’re feeling the effects of the empty parking lot.
“The Chinese place had to replace their own air conditioning. The owners wouldn’t replace it. The spa on Saturday, their busiest day, has two customers and they used to have walk-ins from everywhere,” Wyler said.
Members of the Williams family have been coming to Egg Cafe for years. They were devastated when they heard the news and say they’re going to miss Wyler the most.
“Miss D, the owner. We call her Miss D. And it’s great the food, and it’s just a diner and it feels like a local spot. We live in Los Angeles so when we come here. It’s nice to feel like we’re in a local spot and we’re bummed. It’s so sad,” Virgil Williams said.
In the last day or so, Wyler said she has had some hope.
“I have four people interested in purchasing the business part, and the tables, and chairs, and just helping me get out of my debt,” Wyler said.
This week she’s donating all her remaining food to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. She said she’s heartbroken, but she sees no other option.
“This was my dream, to have a little cafe. So here it is, dreams over, but it’s OK cause I did it,” Wyler said.
She just wants to thank all of her loyal customers for letting her follow her dream.
