According to the text, was Shirdi already a place of spiritual significance before Sai Baba's return with the wedding party?

Yes, Chapter 5 of the Shri Sai Satcharitra indicates that Shirdi already had a spiritual atmosphere before Baba's celebrated return. The text explicitly states that prior to Baba being found again with Chand Patil's wedding party, other holy men had made Shirdi their home. It mentions that a saint named Devidas was already established in Shirdi. Furthermore, another holy person, Janakidas Gosavi, also came to reside there. This context suggests that Shirdi was a place receptive to saintly figures, and Baba's arrival added a magnificent 'gem' to an environment already touched by holiness.