By Jorge Perezchica
As festival season descends on the Coachella Valley, a new kind of gathering space is already generating buzz in Palm Desert ahead of its soft opening—one built not just on coffee, but on connection, creativity, and a deep sense of place. Desert Kid Coffee, founded by childhood friends Katie Reed and Joseph Eccles, is poised to become a go-to destination in the valley’s rapidly evolving coffee scene.
I was invited in for a preview ahead of opening, where the finishing touches were still underway—but the vision was already unmistakable. The space feels intentional in every detail: warm, expansive, and distinctly local. It’s less about grabbing a quick cup and more about settling in.
For Reed, returning to the desert after a decade in New York City was driven by something bigger than business. “I wanted to move back to the Coachella Valley to build more community,” she says. “And I thought there was a wonderful opportunity for people to connect over specialty coffee here… and be able to put it on the map.”
That idea—of creating something emblematic of the region—became central to Desert Kid Coffee. Reed references iconic coffee cities as inspiration: “If Stumptown exists to Portland, how can we build a coffee brand… such as Desert Kid Coffee, to the Coachella Valley?”
Eccles, a former high school teacher at Shadow Hills High School, brings a different but equally grounded perspective. Coffee has long been a personal passion, one he’s honed for years. “About six years ago, I started learning to roast coffee, and spent a lot of time just dialing in the craft and the science behind how to roast,” he explains. When Reed approached him with the idea of opening a roaster café, “from that day forward, we’ve just been running with this idea to make it a reality.”
That shared history—both with each other and with the Coachella Valley itself—shapes nearly every aspect of the concept.
“Growing up here, I think a lot of kids think that impact and interesting things are all happening elsewhere,” Eccles reflects. “But the older that I got, I realized how special of a community we all grew up in.” He points to the valley’s unique blend of natural beauty and cultural influence: “We had so much wonder and magic… with Joshua Tree being in our backyard… and also with the worldwide events that come to the Coachella Valley.”
That “artistic thread,” as he describes it, is something Desert Kid Coffee actively aims to celebrate—not just through design, but through programming. The team plans to host intimate, live-recorded music sessions inspired by NPR’s Tiny Desk, spotlighting local talent and continuing the building’s creative legacy.
The location itself adds another layer of meaning. Formerly home to the Musicians Outlet—where many local kids took lessons, bought instruments, or had them repaired—the space carries a nostalgic weight. “It’s an homage to the history of this building,” Reed says, noting how that creative lineage helped draw them back to this particular site again and again.
Inside, the design reflects what they describe as a café “grown out of the desert.” Every material choice ties back to the surrounding landscape—from tile inspired by “the purple mountains and the blue sky” to textures that echo sand and wood tones reminiscent of palm trees. The goal, Eccles says, was to “make the desert come to life in this space.”
Equally important was creating a true “third space”—something both founders feel is increasingly rare. “Places like this are more important than ever,” Reed says. “To actually build a place where people can come and gather and connect in person… this is a place where anyone can feel belonging.”
That intention is reflected in the layout: lounge-style seating, varied configurations for groups or solo visitors, and an atmosphere that encourages lingering. “It was a very intentional mindset from the very beginning,” Eccles adds. “How can we make that layout… in a way that people would feel comfortable to linger?”
Of course, the coffee itself is central to the experience—and here, Desert Kid sets itself apart with an in-house roasting program. “Having control over the roasting process… means that we’re able to deliver a product that is just fresher,” Eccles explains. “When you taste it side by side… it is clear which one is from a freshly roasted facility.”
The menu follows a similar philosophy: simplicity, quality, and everything made in-house whenever possible. From house-made syrups to daily baked goods crafted by an in-house pastry chef, the offerings are designed to evolve alongside the community. “We’re launching with a test menu,” Reed notes, “but we’re really excited about the laminated doughs, croissants… everything is scratch made.”
Even the smallest details carry personal meaning. One standout menu item—a house-made Pop-Tart—has been named in honor of Reed’s late brother. “To be able to have options like that… to give honor to the people in our lives has been really special,” she shares.
Opening a brick-and-mortar business, especially in a 60-year-old building, hasn’t come without challenges. “Problems are going to consistently come up, and that’s part of the process,” Reed says. What was originally planned as a January debut has shifted—landing them squarely in the middle of the valley’s busiest season.
“We’re opening… essentially the Super Bowl of our type of business,” Eccles says with a laugh. “Not everything’s going to be ready… but we are excited to open our doors… and really just celebrate the opening.”
And that spirit—of iteration, openness, and community—may ultimately define Desert Kid Coffee more than anything else.
When asked what they hope people feel upon walking in, Reed explains: “I hope that they feel that this was built for me… to feel represented, and to feel proud of the Coachella Valley.”
Eccles puts it simply: “Just feel like this is home.”
As festivalgoers flood the desert in the days ahead, Desert Kid Coffee offers something increasingly valuable—a place to slow down, connect, and experience the Coachella Valley through the eyes of those who call it home.
Desert Kid Coffee
44850 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert
Soft opening: Thursday April 9, 2026
Hours: 7am – 4pm
Closed: Monday & Tuesday