COMMERCE

Celebrating the businesses that have been booming here for decades

Here at the Palm Springs Chamber, we think that thriving businesses are the backbone of the community. They are the enterprises that provide invaluable goods and services to the hardworking people who live here. And what says “thriving” more than longevity. We’re talking companies that have roots several decades-deep in the desert. So here, in honor of Palm Springs’ 85th birthday, we profile eight such ventures, which are listed in order of history as opposed to alphabetically.

Palm Springs Woman’s Club

(1938)

A pearl in the desert… In 1938, the world was on the edge of changing forever. Not knowing what lay ahead, desert legend Pearl McCallum McManus assembled a group of 65 civic-minded, pioneering women to inspire and promote a promising future for their growing village. They wanted to define their purpose with a strong mission statement: “Intellectual Improvement - Social EnjoymentHelpfulness in the Community.”

Next, the newly formed Palm Springs Woman’s Club needed a place to meet. Renowned architect John

Porter Clark, whose wife happened to be a member, was enlisted to design a building on a piece of property donated by Pearl. The PSWC Clubhouse sits at the corner of Baristo and Cahuilla in downtown Palm Springs.

The Palm Springs Woman’s Club is still going strong in its 85th year! With approximately 150 members, the Club continues Pearl’s legacy of philanthropy by awarding scholarships to deserving Palm Springs High School seniors pursuing undergraduate degrees. The Palm Springs Woman’s Club is a vital part of our community and welcomes all women interested in joining to apply.

Alpha Media Palm Springs (1947)

Alpha Media may not be a business that rings familiar to many in Palm Springs. However, the radio stations it owns and operates are household names to many of its residents, providing them with much of the music, news, and information they consume on a daily basis. Mix 100.5, 107.3 Mod-FM, U-92.7, and 93.7 KCLB are among the eight memorable brands housed inside Alpha’s studios located on North Gene Autry Trail.

A radio station’s programming is available free of charge to desert residents thanks to the local businesses who have purchased advertisements that are heard on the air. Local program directors are charged with keeping up with music trends and identifying what the general public wants to hear to gain as many listeners as possible.

Palm Springs Florist

(1947)

By Jordan Hall

We opened in 1947. Same place, same family, three generations. We just celebrated our 76th Valentine’s Day. All great stories have a great beginning, so here’s ours: It all started with a train ride in 1946. On his way home from the war, my grandfather, E. Earl Hall, struck up a conversation with Horace Head, renowned floral designer and FTD master design instructor. As the two talked, Horace was so impressed with my grandfather’s personality and character that he offered to not only train him, but invited Grandpa Earl to become a partner in purchasing a floral studio in Palm Springs.

“Uncle” Horace and Grandpa opened the doors of Palm Springs Florist in March 1947. In August of that year, Grandpa headed home to Salt Lake City to marry his sweetheart, my Grandma Mary Lou. The two packed up what belongings they had, traveled by train to

Our first radio station, KCMJ-AM 1340 (now KNWQ-AM 1140), was licensed by the Federal Communications Commission on April 1, 1946, and our studios were located in downtown Palm Springs. Since that time, we have continued to keep our offices located in Palm

Springs because of the overwhelming support we received from its residents and the business community when we were a fledgling young business ourselves. Even though our stations serve all of the communities within the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is our home!

Los Angeles, then with Earl’s brother, pulled their first home — an 18-foot trailer — into Palm Springs and settled in on September 1, 1947. The trailer had no air conditioning, and the shared bathroom facilities were down the road. Grandma later said, “If we weren’t young and in love, I would have headed home out of the scorching desert heat!”

With no knowledge of the business, and lots of trust and support from Mary Lou, Earl went to work. Their first deliveries were made by Grandpa on his Schwinn bicycle, while Grandma rode on the handlebars holding the flowers.

In the early years, Palm Springs Florist was on the outskirts of town, surrounded by a developing oasis in the desert known for its golf and tennis resorts, and vacation homes of many famous movers and shakers from Hollywood and all over the world.

As Palm Springs developed into a popular and iconic location, Palm Springs Florist became the go-to place for all things floral. My grandfather built a reputation for outstanding customer service and the finest blooms in town. As friendships developed with most of the local celebrities, my grandfather frequently serviced the floral needs of Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Liberace, and so many more.

Over 70 years later, we are now into our third generation of family florists. My dad Brent and I are running the show with the help of my wife Whitney and Mom. The Schwinn is long gone, replaced by a fleet of delivery vans. Endless stacks of paper have been replaced by a state-of-the-art computer system. Our team includes award-winning designers and a first-class delivery crew. Over the years we have enjoyed and celebrated numerous accolades from the community and our loyal customers. While things have changed, the foundation of hard work, uncompromising standards, and amazing customer service that my grandfather left for us continues to be our cornerstone as we look forward to the next 70 years.

Williams Properties

(1948)

Arriving in the village of Palm Springs in 1919, one day after he was discharged from the Navy after serving in WWI, John W. Williams — a lean young man of 20, with wavy hair and a good-humored Irish laugh, according to Desert Sun columnist George Ringwald — immediately began to accumulate real estate. He purchased the first real estate office in Palm Springs in 1928 and moved it to 423 N. Palm Canyon Drive.

In 1954, one of his three children, Don Williams, joined his father in the family business that is still thriving today. Williams Properties, which manages assets developed by the Williams family (including much of the area near Gene Autry Trail and Ramon Road) is now run by his grandson, Ron Williams, and great-grandson, Ken Williams.

Williams is credited with building the city’s first industrial complex, which is located on Williams Road, south of Ramon Road. In 1938, he developed the Ramon Trailer Park, which is still in operation on the south side of Ramon Road, west of Sunrise Way.

Not only was Williams a very successful businessman, he was also an early leader in the community. He served as president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, and was president of the Board of Realtors in 1938 and again in 1945. He was a charter member of the Lions Club and an elder in the Community Church for over 40 years. He served on both the elementary and the high school district boards in the 1920s and 1930s. He was a benefactor of the Desert Museum and a sat on its board of directors until 1962.

In November of 1936, Williams was appointed to a committee that would study the pros and cons of Palm Springs becoming a city. The 30-man committee held a meeting on August 14, 1937 to finalize the city boundaries. They divided the area into seven wards, and then drew up an incorporation petition to be signed by property owners. After a number of discussions with the county, the incorporation matter came to a vote on April 1, 1938. Not all of the town’s 910 registered voters turned out; the final tally was 442 in favor of incorporation, 211 against. Williams was elected to the first Palm Springs City Council, serving from 1938 to 1942.

Williams was also a generous philanthropist. He donated land to establish an animal shelter in the city. He also donated land so that all the local children could play Little League baseball in a park originally located between Palm Springs High School and the Field Club, east of Sunrise Way and north of Ramon Road. But when the Field Club, the Pavilion, and other city buildings were torn down to make way for the library complex, the baseball stadium, and Sunrise Park, the Little League Park was moved to its present location at Demuth Park. The city honored Williams’ gift by naming the new Little League Park after him and by honoring their agreement, which allowed the Little League continued access to the fields.

Williams also donated land for the Girl Scout House, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Desert Chapel. He became a major donor to Desert Hospital and a benefactor of the Palm Springs Desert Museum where he served as a member of its board of directors.

In 1962, Williams received the Distinguished Service Award from the Palm Springs Police Officers Association. His final endowment was to build the John W. Williams Conference Center at Redlands University.

Schlecht, Shevlin, & Shoenberger (1951)

Schlecht, Shevlin, & Shoenberger, ALC has been serving its clients in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley since 1951. The full-service law firm (a trusted brand whose name bears those of the three original partners from the seventies) has substantial experience in: (1) all areas of business transactional work and litigation, (2) general civil matters and litigation, (3) estate planning and litigation, (4) Native American land leases and other related issues, and (5) other matters, as needed. Since its inception, members of the firm have been an integral part of the Palm Springs community; have served as judges, city council members, and planning commissioners; and have held leadership positions at the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Palm Springs Rotary, the Palm Springs Lions Club, local churches, and other numerous charities.

The energy, beauty, and spirit of Palm Springs has made it easy for Schlecht, Shevlin, & Shoenberger to come to work every day and maintain a thriving business. The firm’s desire to be involved in the city — and Palm Springs’ willingness to accept the firm’s involvement — has made for a seamless, mutually beneficial relationship.

Schlecht, Shevlin, & Shoenberger is grateful to the people it has met over the 70-plus years it has been open in Palm Springs. It is grateful for the friendships and business contacts made throughout the decades. The firm and the city have been a match made in heaven! Schlecht, Shevlin, & Shoenberger looks forward to another 70-plus years in Palm Springs. [Photo L to R: David A. Darren, Daniel T. Johnson, Christopher J. Thomsen, and Ulrich R. McNulty]

The Original Las Casuelas (1958)

February marked our 65th year serving the Coachella Valley with the same recipes Mary and Florencio “Del” Delgado introduced in 1958. Our passion has always been rooted in providing authentic dishes and excellent service to members of our community, whom we consider family! We are beyond grateful for all the six-plus decades we have been loved and supported by the Palm Springs community!

Palm Springs Welding, Inc.

(1964) By Chantal Francisco

Palm Springs Welding, Inc. was founded in Palm Springs in 1964 by my dad, Marcel Latulippe. Mike, as he was called, came to Palm Springs on vacation from a small town near Montreal in the early sixties, and he chose to stay, even though he didn’t have a great working knowledge of English (French was his first language). He started as an employee at a local welding shop, then gained skills and knowledge, not to mention a love for our community. Over the years, he created a home here with a great network of friends. He was involved in many local organizations and put down deep roots here.

He started with a small shop on South Palm Canyon Drive, where the Oasis Resort stands now. He later moved to Matthew Drive, and ultimately built his own warehouse just east of the airport where our building still continues to this day.

Our company started by being a source of ornamental iron gates, fences, and the like throughout the Coachella Valley. We did ironwork in master-planned golf course communities for many, many years, and provided gates and other ironwork to homes and businesses in Palm Springs. We continue to do so.

In 1993, the next generation joined the company when I graduated from college. My husband and I started in the company, learning the business from the ground up. We quickly learned that a new industry had lots of potential and we started focusing on structural steel projects. We help build homes throughout the Coachella Valley, providing well-paying jobs to our loyal and valued employees. We’re proud to have participated in the arch project over Palm Canyon Drive at Alejo Rd.

Palm Springs is literally in our name. It is our identity as well as our home. We have pride in our work, and it brings us joy to see our work throughout our community. Although my dad is now passed, my mom still lives in the same home they purchased together here as newlyweds, and my husband and I live in town and raised our girls here. We couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

Ace Hardware

(2000)

Our family-owned-and-operated organization opened its doors in February 2000 as True Value Hardware of Palm Springs. Our original location with True Value was in the old Palm

Springs Mall at Baristo and Farrell, across from Palm Springs High School. We moved to our current location at 1785 E. Palm Canyon Drive in the Smoketree Village shopping center in February 2011.

We were fortunate to have our ever-growing customer base follow to our new location. A large sum of our clientele is seasonal, return vacationers and tourists from locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. Through the years, we have made continuing improvements to best serve our customers’ needs and interests.

In 2019, one of our improvements was the choice to become an Ace Hardware store, expanding and refining our product assortment.

Throughout our time, we have received several awards, including #1 store in our franchise, Best in Customer Service, as well as Best Hardware Store by Best in the Desert. Many who visit our store quickly understand why our customers become fans. One or more of our staff of over 45 employees stand ready to greet and assist customers, helping them find exactly what they need, or helping them find products or solutions, even if that solution is not readily available in our store. Customer service is vital to our business and is instilled in our associates every day. We are not just a hardware store. We are a destination and an experience for our many guests the world over. We are proud and delighted to play an essential role in our diverse community.