Saffron Lounge owner says property listed for lease after Pride poster controversy
Athena Jreij
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Ashley Stein, co-owner of Palm Springs’ Saffron Restaurant and Lounge, says she found her restaurant listed for lease, after a battle with the landlord over a Pride poster.
News Channel 3 first followed this story early June, when Stein says she was instructed by her landlord to take down the poster or lose a lower summer rent rate. Amy Brinkman, one of the property’s co-owners, says they asked the poster be taken down because of lease provisions.
Now, Stein believes the listing could be linked to the debacle over the poster, which still stands.
“I don’t know how I could take it any other way,” Stein said.
The listing read at the time, “Currently occupied by Saffron Restaurant. Pleae do not disturb existing tenant. Contact listing agent for tours.”
However, Brinkman claims it was posted by an outside commercial realtor unauthorized by property management, and has since been taken down.
Brinkman says she believes the realtor posted it when they learned the restaurant was behind on their rent by $140,000.
News Channel 3 asked Saffron’s co-owners if they are behind on rent and if that could be related.
“That is not something that we are going to speak of at this time … They have said nothing about that [rent] to us. So this is obviously quite the shock,” Stein said.
In emails shared by Brinkman, News Channel 3 found property management claims that they did not authorize the listing, as well as the agent saying he had posted it to generate leads for the future.
However, Stein and her co-owners say it’s further strained their relationship with management.