L.A. Small-Businesses Face Heartbreak as Years of Work Turn to Ash

Wildfires in Los Angeles devastate small businesses, leaving owners in shock and uncertainty

L.A. Small-Businesses Face Heartbreak as Years of Work Turn to Ash
L.A. Small-Businesses Face Heartbreak as Years of Work Turn to Ash

Altadena: Paul Rosenbluh was in Vancouver, Washington, about to buy a restaurant when he found out his eatery in Altadena, California, had burned down. He and his wife, Monique King, had run Fox’s Restaurant since 2017. It was a beloved spot in the community, dating back to 1955. He saw the damage through a Facebook video after the Eaton Fire hit the area.

Fox’s was a popular diner, always busy with regulars from the neighborhood. Now, many of those homes are just gone. The couple is trying to figure out how to integrate Fox’s employees into their other restaurants, Cindy’s and Little Beast, while the fires continue to rage. Even though they had insurance, Rosenbluh isn’t optimistic about rebuilding.

Others, like Candace Frazee from the Bunny Museum, are determined to rebuild despite insurance not covering the costs. The museum, known for its rabbit memorabilia, burned down after a night of battling the flames. She expressed her shock at how quickly it all happened.

Kristina Adam, who owned a wellness studio called Aether, also lost everything. She had just started to build a loyal customer base when the fire took it all away. She watched the destruction unfold from afar, feeling heartbroken.

The community is still reeling, with many struggling to find loved ones. James Benjamin, who runs Wylie’s Bait Shop, was worried about his great aunt, Ginny, who hadn’t been heard from. Thankfully, she was later found safe in a shelter. Wylie’s, a local surf fishing hub since 1946, was also destroyed in the fire.

The devastation is widespread, and it’s clear that the road to recovery will be long for these small-business owners and their communities.

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