Palm Springs bookstore struggling after A/C vandalism
UPDATE 7/17/2025 - The Best Bookstore co-owner Paul Carr says he has signed a lease on a new space for the bookstore.
He'll be moving his business a few minutes away to 113 La Plaza in Palm Springs, next to White Llama Arts and Crafts from Peru. As of yet, there is no exact timeline on when the bookstore will officially open at the new location.
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - No relief from the heat for one local bookstore in Palm Springs that remains without air conditioning.
It's been over a week since the Best Bookstore in Palm Springs' A/C unit had been vandalized over the Fourth of July weekend. This comes amid hot, triple-digit temperatures.
“We got somebody to come out and take a look at it and they said ‘somebody has been on your roof and disconnected it.’ That was itself a surprise and shock. We reached out to the landlord and we said ‘as it says in the lease, we need this to be fixed and they said no, we’re not going to do that.’”
Paul Carr, The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs co-owner
Adding to the frustration, the bookstore's owners say the landlord is not assisting with repairs or replacement of the unit.
This is impacting sales and forcing the owners to reduce hours to work around the heat. But the community has rallied behind them and are doing what they can to support.
While it's uncertain how and when the A/C will be fixed, what is certain, the bookstore is here to stay.
“We’re looking at options. Obviously, we’d love the landlord to do what they’re supposed to do. That’s the number one priority. We’ve had offers for other location we could move to temporarily or permanently. The bookstore is not going anywhere.”
Paul Carr, The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs co-owner
News Channel 3 has tried to talk to the landlord at Lyle Commercial Properties in Rancho Mirage but was told he was unavailable.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.