As Los Angeles continues to contend with the ongoing wildfires affecting Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Altadena, business owners are beginning to pick up the pieces and focus on the future. Unfortunately, many restaurants in these areas have been damaged or destroyed, leaving the owners facing a difficult decision: whether or not to rebuild from scratch. In response, What Now Los Angeles is compiling a running list of restaurants in the region that are hoping to reopen, using crowdsourcing to gather the necessary funds. All links have been verified by What Now Media Group.
Restaurants Destroyed by the Palisades Fire
Reel Inn – 18661 Pacific Coast Highway
This PCH restaurant has been at the bottom of Topanga Canyon since 1986. Owners Teddy and Andy Leonard have set up a GoFundMe to raise $140,000 after the landmark was destroyed. The money will cover three months of wages, benefits, and other support for Reel Inn’s employees.
“After 36 years in business, we have lost our beloved restaurant, The Reel Inn Malibu, to the devastating Pacific Palisades fire,” according to the GoFundMe. “Our deepest concerns are for our incredible staff and their ongoing support until we know when and if we are able to rebuild and reopen. These hardworking individuals are more than employees—they’re family. They’ve supported us through thick and thin, and now we want to ensure they have the financial stability they need during this difficult time. We’re asking for your help to raise funds to provide 3 months of wages, benefits, and support for our team as we navigate this challenging period. Your generosity will help us give back to the people who have always given so much to our restaurant and our community. Together, we can ensure that if and when our doors reopen, our team will be there, ready to welcome you all back with open arms.”
Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine – 18763 Pacific Coast Hwy
Since 1999, this restaurant has become a well-known casual pit stop off the Pacific Coast Highway. Owners Sawai Theprian and her husband Nikorn Sriwichailumpan first took over the restaurant 25 years ago and continue to operate Cholada Thai in Long Beach. Sriwichailumpan has set up a GoFundMe to raise $150,000 to rebuild the restaurant.
“Unfortunately, as many of you know, Cholada Thai was destroyed in the devastating Palisades Fire,” according to the GoFundMe. “This loss isn’t just a physical structure – it’s a piece of my heart, and it’s the loss of a special place that meant so much to the Malibu community. The funds raised will go directly toward Cholada Thai so we can rebuild the restaurant to the high standards of quality and warmth that you’ve all come to know and love. It’s not just about restoring a business – it’s about giving back to the community that has supported us for all these years.”
Moonshadows – 20356 Pacific Coast Highway
Chris Wizner, who runs the marketing agency that handles Moonshadows Malibu, has launched a GoFundMe to help the Moonshadows Malibu team during this time. The campaign hopes to raise at least $100,000 to help the employees recover from the effects of the fire.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news: Moonshadows Malibu, our beloved oceanfront restaurant, was tragically burned down on January 8th, 2024, during the Palisades Fire,” according to the GoFundMe. For nearly four decades, the waves crashing against our patio provided the soundtrack to countless celebrations, shared laughter, and unforgettable moments. Now, that luminous chapter has come to an unthinkable end, leaving us heartbroken. Our employees, the lifeblood of Moonshadows, are grappling with the loss of not just their workplace but the cherished connection with customers they came to know as family.”
Other restaurants affected by the Palisades Fire:
- Rosenthal Wines at 18741 Pacific Coast Highway
- Vittorio’s at 16646 Marquez Avenue
- Caffe Luxxe at 15200 Sunset Boulevard
- Cafe Vida at 15317 Antioch Street
- Casa Nostra at 15306 Sunset Boulevard
Restaurants Destroyed by the Eaton Fire
Side Pie – 900 East Altadena Drive
Kevin Hockin started making artisanal, wood-fired pizzas in his backyard during the pandemic before opening Side Pie in October 2021. Now, the restaurant has completely burned down. Hockin has started a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise $100,000 to rebuild Side Pie.
“Our whole neighborhood burned to the ground today,” according to the GoFundMe. “This is our community hub and pizza/coffee sanctuary. We have customers that have a standing order every week, same day, same time, for years. Now, I, along with 14 other friends (I hate the word employees, and everyone I employ IS a friend), are out of jobs. For how long? Who knows. A long time. Too long to keep my head on straight and not fear for my family. We have bills. We have financial responsibilities. And this is scary stuff.”
Fox’s Restaurant – 2352 Lake Avenue
Founded in 1955, this cozy, family-run diner in Altadena has been serving locals for nearly seven decades. Originally established by Paul and Edie Fox, the restaurant is now owned by Paul Rosenbluh and Monique King, who also operate two other restaurants in nearby Eagle Rock: Cindy’s and Little Beast. The restaurant confirmed via Instagram that the building had been completely lost. Rosenbluh and King have started a GoFundMe to raise $30,000 to support Fox’s indefinitely unemployed workers.
“The Eaton Canyon Wildfire has devastated the Altadena community, and unfortunately, Fox’s Restaurant has not survived,” according to the GoFundMe. “We are heartbroken by the destruction that’s occurred over the past 48 hours in our community and extremely fortunate that every member of our staff was able to evacuate and is safe from the immediate harm of the fire. However, as you know, Fox’s has completely burned down and left our staff of 15 unemployed indefinitely as we deal with the aftermath of this catastrophic fire. I have started this GoFundMe aimed to provide aid to our Fox’s staff to help them rebuild their lives in the wake of this devastation.”
Minik Market – 2507 Lake Avenue
Altadena’s new gourmet mini mart opened in June last year but was recently confirmed to be completely destroyed. The owner, Jon Johnson, announced the news via Instagram. In response to this unfortunate event, he has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $40,000. The funds will support employees and fulfill outstanding wholesale commitments as he and his team work to rebuild the store.
“Like many of you, we are heartbroken after the recent fires in Altadena,” according to the GoFundMe. “These fires have caused unimaginable loss in our neighborhood, impacting countless lives and dreams. As many of you know, we lost Minik Market in the fires. Minik Market wasn’t just a shop; it was a gathering place for our community—a space where neighbors became friends and where everyone felt welcome. Losing it has been devastating.”
The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop – 2697 N Fair Oaks Avenue
This Black-owned Altadena breakfast eatery has been run by the Shay family since 1972, serving shrimp and grits, biscuits, fried eggs, and more. Family member Anissa Shay has started a GoFundMe to raise $50,000 for rebuilding efforts.
“We are completely lost for words to see what my grandmother built, my uncle Lonzia, and my mom created, burn down to flames,” according to the GoFundMe. “If you can find it in your heart to help my family’s business to rebuild, we appreciate you so much. Thank you for your support.”
Cafe de Leche – 2477 N. Lake Avenue
This charming Altadena coffee shop is owned and operated by Anya and Matthew Schodorf and offers a living room-like setup inside. Unfortunately, this location was completely destroyed, while the couple’s original outpost in Highland Park remains open for business. While you can support the business by visiting the other location, Avelene Schodorf—Matthew’s sister—has started a GoFundMe to raise $10,000 to help the couple pay and support Cafe de Leche employees.
“As many of you know, the devastating Eaton fire has tragically destroyed our beloved Café de Leche,” according to the GoFundMe. “This café was not just a business—it was a community space, a gathering place, and a dream we built together. But more than that, it’s home to a group of incredible individuals who are the true heart and soul of our café: our six wonderful employees. We are reaching out to you in the hope that you can help us support these amazing people during this incredibly difficult time. While we work to rebuild our lives and the café, our priority is to ensure that our team has the support they need to get through this. From lost wages to the challenges of starting over, they need our help now more than ever.”
Rancho Bar – 2485 Lake Avenue
Founded by Ron Larson in 1983 and now passed down to his sons, this neighborhood bar in Altadena confirmed on Instagram that it had burned to the ground. The restaurant hopes to raise $50,000 via GoFundMe to rebuild the 41-year-old watering hole.
“We are reaching out to ask for your support in helping The Larson Family rebuild their beloved bar, The Rancho, after the devastating Eaton Canyon fire,” according to the GoFundMe. “This disaster has left them with the unimaginable loss of both their home and the bar that has been a cornerstone of our community. While the fire may have taken so much, we know that the love, support, and generosity of this community can help them rebuild. The funds raised through this GoFundMe will go directly to covering the costs of rebuilding the bar.”
Amara Kitchen – 841 E Mariposa Street
This health-conscious, Latina-owned eatery confirmed on Instagram that the Altadena location was lost to the Eaton Fire. Amara Kitchen continues to operate its flagship outpost in Highland Park. On top of supporting the company by visiting its other location, owner Paola Guasp has started a GoFundMe to raise $28,000 to support Amara Kitchen employees.
“We are devastated to announce the loss of Amara Kitchen Altadena to the Eaton Fire,” according to the GoFundMe. “While we are deeply grateful that our staff is safe, many of us have been displaced and evacuated from our homes. Never in a million years did we imagine this could happen to our team or community. We are acutely aware of how many others in Los Angeles have been affected by this tragedy and are working with trusted partners to find ways to support ourselves and those around us during this challenging time. In response to these events, we have created this GoFundMe to support our employees, many of whom face furloughs or significant reductions in hours due to the immediate loss of work and revenue.”
Other restaurants affected by the Eaton Fire:
- Everest at 2314 Lake Avenue
- Pizza Of Venice at 2545 N Fair Oaks Avenue
- Bernee at 875 E Mariposa Street
- Mariposa Junction at 849 E Mariposa Street
Additional Resources for Donations and How to Help
American Red Cross—The American Red Cross works alongside its partners to provide shelter, food, emotional support, and health services. You can support the Red Cross by making a donation online, calling (800) 733-2767, or texting REDCROSS to 90999.
California Fire Foundation—The foundation works with local fire agencies and community organizations to support residents impacted by the blazes. You can donate to the California Fire Foundation here.
Canine Rescue Club – The Canine Rescue Club is a network of caregivers who foster dogs awaiting their forever home. You can support the Canine Rescue Club by applying to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out an online form.
Lagartijas Climbing Crú —The Lagartijas Climbing Crú, a local BIPOC climbing club, has created a Google spreadsheet to connect fire victims with people who want to donate gear and dehydrated meals. You can sign up on the spreadsheet to lend or give gear, including sleeping bags and pads.
Set Active—Set Active is an athleisure brand based in Los Angeles. It is accepting clothing donations for families affected by the fires. You can send the company a direct message via Instagram.
Direct Relief – Direct Relief is a California-based disaster relief medical assistance organization. It’s currently working with the two Koreatown YMCA locations to hand out free N95 masks to residents affected by the harmful smoke. Those interested in supporting wildfire response efforts can donate to Direct Relief’s Wildfire Response Fund online.
Additional Resources to Help:
- Pasadena Humane
- California Community Foundation
- Bike Oven
- Escalemos
- Baby2Baby
- World Central Kitchen
- Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
- Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighters Fund
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles
- The People’s Struggle San Fernando Valley
- All Power Books
- Dolce Glow
- A1000XBetter
- Bobbie
- Musicares
- In Defense of Animals
- International Medical Corps
- Best Friends Animal Society
- The Foundation for California Community Colleges
- Westside Food Bank
If you know someone whose restaurant was destroyed or damaged by the wildfires, please email Joey Reams at Joey@Whatnowmediagroup.com to discuss it further and add them to this list.
