After devastating fires, large parts of LA County were burned. Long-standing restaurants that once dominated the coast have been partially or completely destroyed, including Gladstone’s, Moon shadow And Reel Inn in Malibu as well as a growing number of Altadena restaurants.

Some don’t know if they can reopen.

Last month, a lease between the Reel Inn — an iconic seafood joint in Malibu’s Topanga State Park — and state officials ended, owners Andy and Teddy Leonard said. The couple hoped to negotiate a new lease and planned to meet with state officials Friday.

Then came the fire.

The fire destroyed the roadside seafood restaurant at the corner of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway for nearly 40 years. The Leonards now fear the state won’t let them sign a new contract.

“We’re afraid they won’t let us rebuild,” Teddy Leonard said. “It’s very scary.”

The Leonards said they are most concerned about their workers – some of whom have been with them for more than 30 years. The restaurant crew helped them get through the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Teddy Leonard said.

“We went through all of this, and they did it with so much grace and sense of humor,” she said. “They’re the ones I’m most worried about right now.”

The couple started a GoFundMe to support their employees for at least three months or until they can hopefully reopen.

“So they can figure out what’s next,” she said. “Many of them have never worked anywhere else in their lives.”

The iconic restaurant – decorated for Christmas and serving seafood in a quirky setting – was more than just a place to eat. It was a place where guests got engaged, celebrated the births of their children and celebrated wedding anniversaries. “Generations believed it was their place,” Teddy Leonard said.

Cami Colbert, who lives within walking distance of the destroyed Reel Inn, drove along the Pacific Coast Highway on Wednesday afternoon to survey the aftermath. Although her home survived, she was devastated.

“We have been here since 1972. We’ve never seen anything like this before,” she said. “We lost everything, the Reel Inn, the Malibu Feed Bin, Cholada, Rosenthal — even Wylie’s bait shop, a historic place.”

Open since 1999, Cholada Thai was also destroyed by fire. A representative for the area Rosenthal wine bar & terracea tasting room right next to PCH, confirmed that the wine bar was a victim of the fires. At Rick Caruso’s Palisades Village Mall Café Vida And Casa Nostra were reduced to little more than ash.

As winds accelerated Tuesday evening, the fire spread into Eaton Canyon above Altadena and Pasadena, decimating Lake Avenue and burning numerous businesses and homes to the ground cafe De Leche, Minik market And Rancho Bar.

“We are lucky to be alive and praying for those who are not doing so well or who may have lost their homes,” said Jamie Woolner, co-owner of Venice pizzawho confirmed that the pizzeria fell victim to destruction. The pizzeria has long delighted its guests with its unique pizza box with the slogan: “Enjoy your delicious moments!”

The cozy Altadena restaurant was opened in 1955 by Paul and Edie Fox and was family-owned for more than 60 years before selling to Paul Rosenbluh and Monique King in 2017 Fox’s It was confirmed on Instagram that the restaurant was destroyed by fire.

In a direct message on Instagram, Perry’s Joint, a Black-owned sandwich shop that first opened in 1993, confirmed that its Pasadena location still exists, but broke the news that it is a cozy soul food joint the little one Red Hen Coffee Shop was destroyed. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help rebuild the restaurant.

Side cakenamed one of the best pizzerias in LA by Times restaurant critic Bill Addison, confirmed on Instagram that its location burned down, leaving only a charred shell of the restaurant.

But some restaurants that appear to be at risk of destruction have so far been spared from the fires. Bernewhich opened just last month by the couple behind the popular all-day dining restaurant All Time in Los Feliz, is one of them. In an Instagram story posted to All Time’s account, guests were assured that Bernee will reopen at some point.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information is confirmed.