There is a beautiful new restaurant built at 80-400 Highway 111 on the edge of La Quinta and Indio and I, like many others, was wondering when the chain link fence would come down and there would be a grand opening for Babe's Jackalope Ranch restaurant.  Unfortunately, the restaurant scheduled to open this summer, has been listed for lease with Coldwell Banker's Commercial Division by the Callender family.  It has been rumored that Don Callender, 80, suffered a fall in his garden in Newport Beach and is in a coma.  Don Callender, was the founder and former owner of Marie Callender's, which he sold in 1986.  Venturing onto new restaurant ideas, Don Callender brought the Babe's Restaurant to Rancho Mirage several years ago.  Callender is quoted as saying that he originally developed the Babe's concept to fill empty real estate left when several of his restaurants closed and until recently was involved in every aspect of Babe's development and daily operations.  Leasing agent, Maggie Montez, senior vice president with Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis, is quoted as saying, "The Callenders are not proceeding with the opening and want to carefully select an operator with a great business resume for the 21,000 square-foot restaurant."

The listing does not include a price and states, "Rent to be mutually negotiated between Landlord and Tenant". The listing broker's office sent me the following information attached to the listing:  "Don Callender's dream restaurant; complete with all custom interior finishes and new equipment is now for lease. Jackalope Ranch consists of a 21,000 SF building offering a main dining room and bar, several banquet rooms, game room, pie shop, private dining room and stunning entrance area.  The kitchens are state-of-the-art. The grounds provide 6.4 acres, lushly landscaped with double waterfall, many sculptures, palapas bar, and patios for dining and outdoor venues. The owners of this tremendous opportunity are looking for very experienced restaurant and venue operators with extensive experience."

Although Mr. Callender's dream has been delayed by unexpected events, we hope that he will one day see his remarkable restaurant open. My family and friends look forward to enjoying another meal served in an entertaining and amusing setting, such as Jackalope Ranch, created by the visionary of the Callender family.

View updated information about Jackalope Ranch as of January 2009 - Click Here