Restaurant owner says landlord wants Pride poster removed

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A dispute between a downtown Palm Springs restaurant owner and her landlord is drawing attention after a disagreement over a Pride poster displayed in the restaurant's front window.

Ashley Stein, co-owner of Saffron Restaurant and Lounge, says the property's owners have repeatedly asked her to remove the poster since it was first displayed last August. Stein believes the request is tied to the message the poster represents and says the issue recently escalated when she was told a reduced summer rent agreement would be contingent on removing it.

"Our landlord is conditioning our lowered adjusted summer rent rate on the removal of an activist poster," Stein said. "So he's saying if that comes down, we can have lower rent... You don't like it because of what it represents. That's the real issue."

Getting answers, News Channel 3 spoke with Amy Brinkman, one of the property owners. Brinkman disputes claims that the poster's LGBTQ+ message is the issue and says the disagreement centers on lease provisions governing common areas and the property's appearance.

"In the past, they have put up these plastic purple flowers to try to gain attention and we asked them to take those down because it's not part of our building aesthetic, which is midcentury modern," Brinkman said. "It's just simply that the poster ... we have no issue with what it says. It's the common areas."

Brinkman also said the landlords have supported the restaurant financially.

"We have been tremendous supporters of them," she said. "They owe us $140,000 in back rent."

When asked whether aesthetic requirements are addressed in the lease, Brinkman said the property owners maintain control over common areas.

Stein disputes that interpretation and says comments allegedly made to her by one of the owners contributed to her belief that the issue extends beyond design concerns.

"He's made comments that neighbors in the Las Palmas neighborhood don't want to dine here because of the poster," Stein said. "I believe the statement was made, 'Is that really the kind of people that you want to attract to your restaurant anyway?'"

When asked about those allegations, Brinkman said she was not present for the conversations and could not comment on them directly. She maintained that the dispute is solely about the property's appearance.

"It's just a matter of design. It's as simple as that," Brinkman said. "I do think having it cheapens our building, and that's it."

For now, Stein says the poster will remain in the restaurant window.

"My allyship is being put to the test," Stein said. "I want this sign to remain for the friends I have in the LGBTQ+ community and those that I don't even know."

Stein says she has been consulting with attorneys about her options. Meanwhile, Brinkman says she hopes both sides can continue discussions and reach a resolution.

Neither party was able to provide News Channel 3 with a copy of the lease. News Channel 3 has requested documentation and will continue following developments in the dispute.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.