News Summary
The Country Kitchen in Malibu has reopened six months after suffering smoke damage from the Palisades fire. Despite the reopening, business is down approximately 25% from last year. Other local businesses are also struggling to recover from the fire’s impact. The community remains hopeful for a brighter future as they navigate these challenges.
Malibu – The Country Kitchen, a cherished local restaurant in Malibu, has officially reopened its doors six months after the devastating Palisades fire caused extensive damage to the area. Although the restaurant itself was not destroyed, it suffered significant smoke damage and remained closed for nearly five months, largely due to the prolonged closure of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The highway, a vital route for both locals and tourists, was shut off to non-residents for an extended period following the fire, significantly impacting the restaurant’s and neighboring businesses’ ability to attract customers.
Despite the reopening, business at the Country Kitchen has not returned to pre-fire levels. Currently, sales are approximately 25% lower than they were a year ago, according to long-term employee Joel Ruiz. The Country Kitchen, which first opened in 1972, is a no-frills eatery famous for its outdoor seating with ocean views, situated in a narrow parking lot alongside a liquor store and gift shop.
The Palisades fire, which burned over 23,000 acres and resulted in the destruction of more than 6,000 structures, left a profound mark on the community. In Malibu, nearly 800 structures were lost, including significant restaurants like the Reel Inn, while Duke’s Malibu remains closed due to damage from the fire. Other local businesses, such as Caffe Luxxe, have only recently reopened after months of being closed.
Business owners along the PCH are currently working to recover and have expressed concerns about returning to their previous levels of profitability. Many have faced ongoing challenges, including delayed insurance payouts that have hindered rebuilding efforts. The overall economic toll of the wildfires in the Los Angeles area has been estimated at approximately $250 billion.
Malibu City Councilmember Doug Stewart has remarked on the difficulties faced by businesses that did not suffer total destruction but are still experiencing significant struggles in the aftermath of the fire. The visible changes in the local landscape, with stretches of ocean previously obscured by homes now clearly visible, serve as a constant reminder of the disaster.
Other businesses in the vicinity of the Country Kitchen have also been adversely affected. Zuma Jay’s surf shop reported sales down by a third, forcing owner Jefferson Wagner to navigate financial struggles in order to pay employees. Malibu Divers, which reopened on May 23 after months of closure, has experienced a 90% drop in business. Co-owner Carter Crary reported a loss of around $150,000 since January and acknowledged that the dive shop cannot afford to pay its employees under current conditions.
The aftermath of the fires has also posed significant environmental challenges for local businesses. Malibu’s beaches have faced contamination from heavy metals and debris, further impacting visitor numbers and local commerce. Roxanne Jensen, owner of the souvenir shop Blue Malibu, reported slow business as potential customers remain unaware that her shop has reopened after a five-month closure due to lost merchandise. Jensen has been forced to adapt to changes in rent yet continues to face financial hurdles.
As businesses strive to regain their footing, there is a cautiously optimistic hope for recovery next summer, driven by a strong sense of community resilience. Employees at Country Kitchen have returned to work after months of unpaid leave, and the restaurant is eager to welcome back customers.
The situation remains indicative of the broader challenges that Malibu’s coastal businesses face in the ongoing recovery from the devastating Palisades fire. As they navigate through difficult times, many remain hopeful for revitalization and support from their community in the months ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Business Recovery Post-Palisades Fire
- ABC7: Six Months After Palisades Fires
- NBC Los Angeles: Duke’s in Malibu Ready to Reopen
- KTLA: Six Months After the Fires
- LA Eater: Malibu Restaurants Reopening
- Wikipedia: Wildfires in California
- Google Search: Palisades fire recovery
- Google Scholar: Palisades fire economic impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California wildfires
- Google News: Malibu fire recovery
