After 19 months, residents of Pacific Palisades returned to witness the reopening of Palisades Village, a shopping and dining destination, which has been revamped following a $100 million renovation. The hub is nearly fully leased, with over 40 businesses either reopening or launching, roughly a third of which are new tenants.
Returning establishments include popular spots like Erewhon, Blue Ribbon Sushi, and Buck Mason, alongside local businesses such as K Bakery and Roomy’s Toys, which are making fresh starts after losing their original locations in the wildfire.
Developer Rick Caruso, who immediately began the rebuilding process post-fire, addressed a cheering crowd, saying, “We’ve been waiting 19 months to say, ‘Welcome to Palisades Village.’ We are on the road to recovery, and this is just one chapter. There are many more big steps ahead.”
The fire in January 2025 resulted in the destruction of over 6,800 buildings, including many homes, though reconstruction is picking up pace, with about 1,000 homes being built. However, only a small fraction of families have moved back in.
Palisades Village managed to avoid direct damage but still faced significant smoke and water damage, necessitating considerable renovations, such as rebuilding kitchens and replacing drywall and HVAC systems.
Caruso nostalgically described the Palisades prior to the fire as “Mayberry by the Sea,” contrasting it with the devastation that followed, likening it to a “nuclear bomb” falling on the community.
Just two days after the fire, Caruso inspired his team with a mission to return stronger than before, saying, “Let’s plant the flag. Let’s bring this back bigger, better, and more meaningful.” New restaurants are on board, including Italy’s Spacca Tutto, led by well-known chef Nancy Silverton, and the Alphabet Bar & Grill, which offers upscale American cuisine.
John Terzian, co-founder of h.wood Group, expressed his commitment to the community, emphasizing that the restaurant aims to help restore social connections among residents, many of whom remain displaced. “This is not just a food business; it’s a people business,” he highlighted.
Caroline Kedeshian also expressed gratitude, as her family’s bakery, K Bakery, prepares to welcome customers back, representing their journey toward recovery. Having spent part of her recovery helping others in need, Kedeshian noted, “Some parts of normal life are slowly returning… it feels like things are slowly returning to normal.” Yet, statistic-wise, that return remains ongoing. Over 1,000 homes are under reconstruction, but only a minimal number have received occupancy approvals.
City Council member Tracy Park reflected on her doubts about recovery when witnessing the fire’s aftermath. However, the vibrant reopening of Palisades Village—with over 40 businesses returning—stands as a profound sign of hope for the community. She remarked that the bustling atmosphere will likely motivate more displaced individuals to rebuild and return.
Amidst the crowd were firefighters from LAFD Station 69, directly involved in battling the wildfire. They received a warm welcome as they tasted the first official scoop of ice cream from the reopened McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream, with Captain Jeff Brown commenting on the importance of seeing the community flourish anew.
For families, however, “home” is still often an empty plot or a work-in-progress. Jessica Rogers, a community leader who lost her home, is helping residents navigate the rebuilding process while remaining hopeful after her own family received plans for their new home. ”We’re going to build the most fire-resistant homes in the Pacific Palisades,” she shared excitedly.
Overall, the day symbolized a significant moment for the Palisades community, providing a glimpse of recovery and resilience. While acknowledging that the journey ahead is still long and fraught with challenges, Caruso reinforced his commitment to support residents throughout the process, assuring them, “We will never leave your side.”
