Coronavirus is crushing restaurants, bars and small businesses, with many taking a drastic hit due to COVID-19 shutdowns and associated rule changes.
In some cases, businesses may never reopen.
Around eight in 10 businesses said they’ve experienced a large or moderate "negative effect” from the pandemic, according to Small Business Pulse Survey data from the U.S. Census as of Nov. 25.
While the effects ripple across industries, some of the biggest concerns are in the restaurant and hospitality business: About 30% of restaurants across the statecould go out of business because of the pandemic, according to the California Restaurant Association.
The Coachella Valley is no exception, with businesses reporting lower sales and some deciding to close up shop for good.
Here are some of the local businesses thathave closedamid the pandemic:
AC3 Restaurant + Bar
About two-and-a-half years ago, seasoned restauranteurs Tony Marchese ofTrio Restaurant and Andrew and Juliana Copley of Copley’s On Palm Canyon opened AC3 Restaurant + Bar in Palm Desert. But the couple said on Sept. 24 that they're closing permanentlydue to the pandemic.
"Given the challenges of the last 7 months and the continued uncertainty; we could not find an economically viable path to continue operating a three meal a day restaurant under the complexities and limitations of COVID-19," the owners said in a Facebook post.
The restauranteurs remain busy with other projects. The Copleys launched Your Dirty Apron, a live and interactive online cooking class series.
Marchese, in addition to running Trio, has co-founded CV Harvest Box, a subscription service for locally grown produce and other goods.
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert
The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert is closed indefinitely, with the board citingrevenue shortages caused by reducedadmissions, memberships and camps since March.
A fundraisingcampaign is now in progress to reopen the facility andmuseum board co-chairKatie Stice said in a statement, "financial donors will be essential to a renewed comeback."
The museumopened on Gerald Ford Drivemore than 20 years ago, and it offered interactive activities that Stice said aren't feasible during thepandemic.
Museum officials stressed the safety of children will be a key factor in determining when the museum reopens and the types of programs offered.
Draughtsman
The Palm Springs bar and eatery posted in May that it would be closing down, and serving as a location for take-out for popular Mediterranean restaurant Evzin.
The space is set to become a new eatery from Palm SpringsrestaurateursChad Gardner of Roly China Fusion and Willie Rhine of Eight Four Nine —called the 1501 Uptown Gastropub.
Evzin Palm Desert
Evzin owner John Tsoutis in Augustannounced the closure of hisMediterranean restaurant Evzin in Palm Desert, the original Highway 111 spot in the mid-valley where patrons raved about the shawarma and hummus.He also announced the finaltake-out serviceat the Draughtsman location.
"I wish to thank everyone that has followed us through this journey and given us support and love," Tsoutis wrote.
The restaurateurthen created a location in Seal Beach, according to posts on the Evzin Instagram account.
More:Take a look inside the delicious Mediterranean restaurant, Evzin, in Palm Springs
Fleming's at The River
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar announced Wednesday that ithaspermanently closed its restaurant at The River in Rancho Mirage after 19 years.
Fleming's,one of the first restaurants to open at The River outdoor shopping and dining center in 2001, announced the closurevia social media and in an email to city officials.The last day of service was Dec. 27.
The Fleming'ssteakhouse chain of restaurants was founded in 1998 in Newport Beach by restaurateurs Paul Fleming and Bill Allen.
“It has been our privilege to provide you with a memorable dining experience eachand every visit,” Fleming's officials stated in an emailed announcement to city staff. “Thank you for choosing Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Barand we hope to see you atanother Fleming's location soon.”
Holey Scoops
Thisgourmet ice cream shop opened its doors in Palm Desert in late 2018. And while Holey Scoops advertised delivery services via Postmates, DoorDash and Grubhub in March, it's since closed down and the retail space is advertised as available for lease.
More:Brother, sister open Holey Scoops ice cream shop in Palm Desert
It's ... in the Bag
ThePalm Desert luggage store plansto closethis year after 30 years in business. In addition to selling suitcases and duffels, owner Chuck Weisbart specialized in backpacks and offered alifetime warranty on their zippers, seams and straps. But after the spring shutdown, his business never fully recovered.
“People became trained over the last six months to buy on Amazon or go to (big box stores) that remained open — and not go to small businesses,” Weisbart told The Desert Sun in November.
Weisbart is hopeful to sell the business to someone who can take it over.
More:It’s … In The Bag! closing after 30 years. Owner looking to 'give business away'
J Russell! The Salon
The Palm Desert spalocatedon the southwest corner of Highway 111 and Highway 74plans to close Dec. 31. J Russell! opened 36 years as a clothing store
Co-owner Meg Firestone told The Desert Sun thatstate and county health and safety guidelines that salons must follow to slow the spread of COVID-19 have pushed her and her husband, salon co-founder and financial director David Firestone, to make the decision to close.
“We’ve been fortunate to have the top stylists and the best of clients, and we have so enjoyed being an integral part of the community,” Meg Firestone said in a news release.
More:J Russell salon in Palm Desert closing after 36 years
HomeTown Buffet
Like the majority of restaurants, HomeTown Buffet off Highway 111 inPalm Desert temporarily closed down when the pandemic first hit.
But in June, the restaurant's assets were sold off in a liquidation auction, according to Auction Nation.
Murph's Gaslight
Owner Josh Rushlow in late September closedMurph's Gaslight, a longtime valley spot in Bermuda Dunes known for its fried chicken.
Rushlow saidit was time after "a good run," as Murph's has been opensince 1976.But therestaurant did pivot to takeout operationsamid thepandemic, and Rushlow said the closure is linked to non-pandemic issues.
He's supportive of local business owners who are staying open.
"Running arestaurant or any business in this time is a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit," Rushowlo said in a Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce livestream.
Rushlow said he's open to reopening a successor to Murph's in a small 2,000-square foot space in the future.
Record Alley
Record Alley in Palm Desert is closing after a 42-year run of delighting music fans and professionals alike.
Owner JimStephens told The Desert Sun that the decision to close came amid lease problems with Westfield Palm Desert after a four-month shutdown during the pandemic,and alsohis wife's health problems.
"My wife is on biologic infusions and has immune issues, so we have to be careful about that. We're not able to work in the store anymore and that creates a problem," Stephens said.
The store planned to start a 50% off sale on Dec.28 and close in late January.
More:Record Alley will end 42-year run in desert
Souplantation
The CEO of the buffet-style restaurant chain in Maysaid he saw no viable way to reopen its self-serve restaurants. The La Quinta location had opened in 2008.
County Department of Environmental Health records show its license, which would have been good through November, was renderedinactive on May 15.
Zobö and Meester’s
The Cathedral City restaurant, which caught the attention of food personality Guy Fieri, shutit* doors Sept. 2, about one month after celebrating its fifth anniversary.Its owner, Bart Groendycke, blames a dipin businesscaused by the pandemic.
Given the closure involves factors beyond his control, he said he's unsure of when or if he'll reopen his Perez Road restaurant that has a menu featuring paninis, burgers and sandwiches.
"I've gone as far as I can to keep it open as long as possible," Groendycke said.
As of December, the restaurant's website said it was still closed. But cooks on the staff havereopened a new eatery in that location that's serving take-out — it's called Meester Zeebra.
More:Zobö and Meester’s, visited by Guy Fieri, is closing due to pandemic, owner says
Desert Sun editor Kristin Scharkey contributed to this report, which includesprevious reporting by Desert Sun reporters Colin Atagi,Sherry Barkas andBrian Blueskye.
