Tower Market is Coming to Palm Springs

Palm Springs joins other Coachella Valley cities in welcoming Tower Market

PALM SPRINGS — Tower Market is coming to Palm Springs and will be located on an undeveloped 2.59-acre parcel at the corner of North Indian Canyon Drive and West San Rafael Road.

The City Council voted 4-1 to approve the market. Councilmember Grace Garner dissented.

The 5,343-square-foot store and gas station with 12 fuel pumps will be located in the northern part of the city.

The location will be the eighth Tower Market in the desert. Tower Market,  a hybrid of a convenience store and fresh market, currently has stores in Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Coachella. The “hybrid” model means more fresh food and produce for sale.

Conditions of the project include:

• 15% minimum of perishable goods
• 30% staple foods like pantry items
• No more than 20% of display space for alcohol
• Accept SNAP benefits
• Have at least five shopping carts
• Undergo annual city reviews

If the store doesn’t continue to meet those requirements, a City Council in the future could revoke the store’s permit.

Tower Market sells grocery items, fresh vegetables, as well as quick food for takeout, like sandwiches and pizzas. They also sell everything you can find at a traditional convenience store.

Tower Market stores are designed to be affordable and a convenient place to find all your grocery and household needs. The stores are promoted as “competitively priced.”

The historically Black neighborhood of Desert Highland Gateway Estates was recently classified as a food desert overlay zone under a new city ordinance that provides incentives for the developers of qualifying stores. Some residents argue the project falls short of meeting the area’s needs.

The Cathedral City Council last year unanimously approved a Tower Market at the northwest corner of Date Palm Drive and Ortega Road.