Gov. Gavin Newsom said over the weekend that crews were working round the clock to target the late May reopening of the burn section of the Pacific Coast Highway on the Los Angeles County Coast.
This update came when most business owners in Malibu were trying to reveal the word – they are already open.
The doors are open at the sunset restaurant near Zuma Beach. But in family-run eateries, the business is just a small part of what happened before Pallisard fired.
“Everyone is basically losing money. Our companies are down more than 50%,” Sunset owner Franco Simplicio told NBC4.
Simplicio is also the co-owner of Moonshadows, and was destroyed in a wildfire in January.
As the fire images linger, business owners say the public doesn’t seem to notice that only eight miles of PCH have been affected, including stretches via the Pacific Ocean’s Pallisard. However, Malibu boasts a scenic beauty for miles that are not entirely affected by the fire.
“We get a lot of calls that always ask if it’s open or not,” Simpsio said. “And the realization that we are not. This particular area of Malibu is outside the bay. Zuma Beach and El Matador are not affected by fire spills.”
Since the fire, PCH has only been open to verified residents and contractors.
“There is currently no access from Santa Monica. Malibu is completely blocked,” business owner David Levy told NBC4.
As a result, visitors must cut out one of the northern canyon roads of Calabasas, away from the 101 highway. According to the governor’s office, “one lane will be available in each direction” after reopening in late May, in the burn zone section of PCH between Chautauqua Bouleard and Carbon Canyon.
David Levy is the owner of Studio Malibu. He was unable to meet his clients in Malibu at the recording studio as PCH was closed to non-residents. Levy documents on social media how neighbors such as Colony House Liquor are handling it.
Regarding the financial impact of the PCH closure, Colony House Liqueur Max Alperstin described the economic fallout as “huge.”
“I do about 30 transactions per day. I usually do more than 150 transactions per day,” says Alperstein.
Paradise Cove said the business ownership of Beach Cafe is welcome news that PCH reopens.
“The restaurant has been doing most of its business, especially for four months. May, June, July, August,” explained Tim Morris of Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. “May is open, so it’s a breath of fresh air.”
“Malibu is open,” revealed JD Slajchert of Sunset Restaurant. “And people have great memories. Make great memories again at this place, and it’s like a dream.”
These “dreamy” memories are limited time and there is no large crowd.
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