Local small businesses struggle through uncertain summer months
Timothy Foster
LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — Summer in the desert is always a challenge for local businesses, but this year, some restaurant owners say the slowdown hit harder than usual.
From July through September, restaurants typically see a dip in sales as triple-digit heat keeps many customers away. Brian Murphy, owner of Jimmy John’s in La Quinta and Palm Desert, said this season was slower than last year. Other restaurant owners he spoke with reported that business was either flat or down. On top of that, rent, insurance, food prices, and minimum wage increases added to the financial strain.
To get through the slower months, many local restaurants adjusted staffing, cut costs, and carefully managed food orders. Murphy explained that business owners rely on forecasting, using data from previous years to make decisions about labor and inventory.
The challenges extend beyond the Coachella Valley. The National Restaurant Association warns that new tariffs on food and beverages from Canada and Mexico could cost the industry more than $12 billion nationwide. With restaurants already operating on slim margins of just 3.5 percent, owners remain uncertain about the future.
Marco Honnold, general manager of Burgers & Beer in La Quinta, said his restaurant benefits from having a reliable distributor, but he noted that smaller establishments without the same resources may struggle even more. He added that rising costs from tariffs or inflation put added pressure on everyone in the industry.
Customers like Justin Thompson also recognize the importance of community support. He emphasized that shopping and dining locally helps strengthen the regional economy, especially during the slowest part of the year.
As temperatures finally begin to drop, restaurants hope customer traffic and revenue will rise again. Until then, they say it is local support that makes survival possible.