Shorebird on El Paseo closing down after two years

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - Shorebird, a seafood and steak restaurant on El Paseo, has officially closed after opening in Feburary 2024.

Wild Thyme, the group that manages the restaurant, sharing this statement with News Channel 3:

"Shorebird officially ceased operations at the El Paseo location effective May 12, 2026. We are currently in the process of repositioning the space and plan to reopen in August 2026 under a new concept and brand — YOZU, a Modern Asian Bistro. We are excited to introduce this new cuisine to the Palm Desert community and believe it will be a wonderful addition to the Shops on El Paseo."

Management told News Channel 3 they think the new Asian Bistro will have a better chance at success on El Paseo. Some locals say they wish they got to try Shorebird before it closed.

"I thought they were doing really well. I'm really surprised," says Vivian Szolcsanyi, a Palm Desert local

"It's shocking to see another place closed down in El Paseo. I come here regularly and I was not expecting it," says Ariel Jimenez, another local.

Despite the closure, officials say businesses on El Paseo are doing extremely well, with there being an all time low in vacancies on the street.

 "Our vacancy rate right now is only at 5%," says Alisa Williams, the President and CEO of the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce. She says retail vacancies for the entire Palm Desert area is at 8%.

The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce shared a list of new businesses coming to Palm Desert:

• Paradise Grills
• Herman Miller
• One More Bite Dumpling
• DSRT Surf
• Lea & Louise Pastry
• Poppy Bank
• Bucherer
• Hope Diamonds
• J’s Deli
• RH Outdoor
• Les Schwab
• Rove Charging

In case you missed what opened earlier this year in Palm Desert, here's a list:

• A Bakery
• Re-opening of Papa Dan’s
• Warby Parker
• Desert Kid Coffee
• H & H Bagel
• Platinum Cowboy
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming