Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Across the U.S., it's also a major travel weekend — and here in Palm Springs, it marks something else: the last big burst of energy downtown before the desert heat settles in for the summer.
At Peepa’s, right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, we feel the importance of this weekend more than ever. As temperatures soar into the triple digits — often 110 to 115 degrees — tourists tend to disappear, and many locals head for cooler climates. That means foot traffic takes a sharp dip, and small businesses like ours have to ride out a quiet season that can stretch into October.
That’s why Memorial Day weekend is such a vital moment for us. As our owner Jeff Witthuhn shared in a recent interview with KESQ News Channel 3, “We see a pretty decent boost over the course of the three days, especially Sunday and Monday.” It’s one last hurrah before the summer slowdown — a final surge of foot traffic, energy, and excitement.
“This is an important weekend for us,” Jeff said. “It’s a nice way to wind down the season with a really strong bang, and to just set ourselves up going into summer and fall.”
Whether you're a year-round local or a weekend visitor soaking up the sun, your support during Memorial Day weekend makes a big difference — not just for Peepa’s, but for all the independent shops, restaurants, and boutiques that make downtown Palm Springs such a special place.
We love the energy this weekend brings. As Jeff put it, “The energy is elevated in the store, the staff’s excited, so it’s a really fun time.”
So if you’re in town, stop by, say hi, and help give Palm Springs' small businesses a strong send-off into summer. We’ll be here with all the color, fun, and quirky finds you know and love.
Happy Memorial Day — and thank you for supporting local!
And if you are here during the summer, stay tuned for exclusive in-store deals at Peepa’s for the brave locals who will be here during the brutal few months of heat.