New music venue to replace Little Street Music Hall amid more Downtown revitalization

*The new venue will be in a prime downtown location at the corner of Oasis Street and Miles Avenue.*

The City of Indio approved two significant additions to its downtown district on Wednesday, backing a new entertainment venue at the former Little Street Music Hall location called The Desert Rat and a curated outdoor vendor market as part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the area.

The Desert Rat will combine a Brooklyn-style soda fountain and bagel shop with an intimate live music venue at 82707 Miles Avenue, the former location of Little Street Music Hall which announced its closure in July after the owners said they couldn’t come to an agreement with the city over its lease.

For Desert Rat, to be operated by Ron Mesh, who also owns and runs the mixing facility Studio B in Downtown Indio, the city agreed to provide $180,000 in tenant improvement funding for the 5,357-square-foot space, which will operate as an entertainment venue, musical instrument repair shop, soda fountain and bagel shop.

During the day, the venue will serve fresh kettle-boiled bagels, rotating cream cheese blends, and artisanal sodas. Evenings will feature live music from local bands to nationally recognized acts, along with film nights, open mics, and themed events.

The venue will also house the relocation of “World Famous” Repairland, a well-known instrument repair shop that attracts musicians regionally and nationally.

As for rent, according to the agreement, The Desert Rat will pay $2,678.50 per month in rent starting April 2027, with an 18-month rent-free period to allow for construction and setup. The five-year lease includes options for extension.

Separately, the city approved a license agreement with Brenda Beltran to operate Mercado Indio, a weekly vendor market on the city-owned property at the corner of Bliss Avenue and Towne Street where the Food Truck Friday event is held.

The market will feature handcrafted goods, food and beverages, local produce, customized goods, beauty and wellness products, vintage items, and art and music.

Beltran has served as retail director for Market Market and Mojave Flea Trading Post, both in Palm Springs, and as the retail and art director of the newly opened The Place market in Downtown Indio. The city will pay Beltran $1,000 monthly to manage and operate the market, with a budget not to exceed $12,000.

Both initiatives are consistent with the Downtown Specific Plan, which encourages pedestrian-oriented retail and restaurant uses.

Downtown Indio has experienced significant momentum with over $200 million in public and private investments. Recent openings include Rosemary HiFi, Gabino’s Creperie, Italitica, Indio Taphouse, Victoria’s Café, and Rocks and Records. The completion of the College of the Desert campus expansion has further anchored the area as a hub for innovation and activity.