Saffron in Palm Springs closing and moving following Pride poster controversy
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Saffron Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Palm Springs is closing and moving locations a few months after a controversy around a Pride poster and its landlord, owner Ashley Stein announced on Wednesday.
Saffron is set to close at its current location on Saturday, Oct. 3. Stein said the plan is for the business to reopen two months later in a future location, but they have not announced where it will be.
Stein said the new restaurant is nearly done and will have a new menu as well as covered parking. The new location will allow for up to 172 guests.
The closure comes after a contentious battle with their landlord over gay pride signage in the summer. Stein told News Channel 3 in early June that she was instructed by her landlord to take down a Pride poster or lose a lower summer rent rate. Stein added that the property’s owners repeatedly asked her to remove the poster since it was first displayed last August.
Amy Brinkman, one of the property’s co-owners, disputed 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.
The landlord also stated that Safron owed over $100,000 in back rent.
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