LA Fires: Moonshadows Malibu, Rosenthal Wine among PCH businesses destroyed
LOS ANGELES - The Palisades Fire is now considered the most destructive wildfire in the history of Los Angeles.
The fire has engulfed more than 15,000 acres with no containment, according to the latest update from Cal Fire. Two people have been killed and tens of thousands remain under evacuations.
It has been fueled by life-threatening and dangerous Santa Ana winds, which have battered the region with hurricane-force gusts in excess of 100 mph. The winds persisted Wednesday and for a while made it too dangerous for aircraft to attack the fires from the sky, furthering hampering their efforts. Aerial firefighting resumed Wednesday morning.
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During a press conference Wednesday, officials said at least 1,000 structures had been destroyed.
Iconic restaurant Moonshadows Malibu on PCH is one of those structures burned to the ground. A video reposted by Moonshadows shows a reporter standing in front of what remains of the restaurant that once boasted unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean.
The celebrity hotspot shared multiple videos on social media of patrons paying homage to the beachside establishment, sharing pictures and memories of the past.
Beachfront homes are devastated by the Palisades fire on PCH on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Malibu, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
"I'm going to miss my job. Thank you Moonshadows Malibu for giving great memories, this was a second home and now it's gone," an employee shared.
"Moonshadows is burned down. This was a place I used to go every week for years," another said.
"So sad. Moonshadows restaurant is gone. I just celebrated New Year's there," someone else added.
"I don't want to believe this iconic restaurant is gone," another shared.
Reel Inn, a popular seafood eatery located at the base of Topanga Canyon Boulevard at PCH was also destroyed. The restaurant posted to Instagram on Tuesday night, revealing the sad news but assuring the public that their staff was all safe.
Owner Teddy Leonard says she and her husband Andy watched it burn on TV Tuesday evening from their home a few miles away. A short time later they began packing up their belongings, evacuating and heading to a short-term rental home in Santa Monica.
The Reel Inn opened in 1986, but several other restaurants have operated in the same location since the 1940s.
Cholada Thai, another popular restaurant adjacent to Reel Inn, was also destroyed, according to a post on Instagram from its sister restaurant in Long Beach. "We are heartbroken to announce that our first Cholada location on the Pacific Coast has been lost after serving since 1999 due to the Palisades wildfire," the post read. "We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has tagged us and shown their support during this difficult time."
The nearby Rosenthal Wine Bar and Patio and Topanga Motel just steps away from Reel Inn were are also destroyed.
"While we lost our tasting room to the fire yesterday, all of our staff is safe. We are so grateful for all of you, and although we don’t know what the future holds, we will stay strong and keep everyone informed of our next moves," Rosenthal posted on Instagram.
Rosenthal Wines was destroyed by the Palisades fire on PCH on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Malibu, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Other businesses destroyed include Gelson's and Ralph's on Sunset.
Other restaurants reported they were closed Wednesday but were not damaged by the fire, including Gladstone's, Duke's, Nobu, and Geoffrey's.
The Source: This story was reported with information from Moonshadows' social media, local reports from the scene, Cal Fire, the National Weather Service, and the Associated Press.