Juicy Ladies Remained Closed After Pacific Palisades Fire
Business owners struggle with reopening timelines following facility damage caused by local wildfire activity.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Juicy Ladies has remained shuttered in Pacific Palisades for 20 months following the Palisades Fire that rendered the location inoperable in January 2025. The cafe, which first expanded to the area in 2018, has redirected operations to a new site in Santa Monica.
Why it matters
The closure highlights the operational risks businesses face when regional disasters create prolonged uncertainty regarding building occupancy and surrounding infrastructure recovery. These factors often force operators to shift geographic focus rather than navigate indefinite local rebuilding timelines.
The cafe has been closed for 20 months since the January 2025 fire, significantly impacting its original 2018 Pacific Palisades footprint. The business now operates a new location in Santa Monica with daily hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The players
Juicy Ladies
A cafe and eatery chain founded in 2008 that specializes in health-conscious menu offerings.
The details
The closure occurred after the Palisades Fire physically impacted the building at 17361 Sunset Boulevard. While the business was founded in Woodland Hills in 2008, the uncertainty surrounding the occupancy status of adjacent condos and commercial neighbors made returning to the Pacific Palisades location unviable. The Santa Monica site at 2727 Ocean Park Boulevard, which soft-opened in late August 2026, was already in development prior to the fire.
Timeline
Juicy Ladies opened its original location in Woodland Hills in 2008.
The business expanded to the Pacific Palisades location in 2018.
The Palisades facility became inoperable following the fire on January 12, 2025.
A new location soft-opened in Santa Monica in late August 2026.
Market Landscape
The closure follows the 2025 Palisades Fire, which created a period of sustained disruption for local commercial tenants. This incident reflects broader challenges in real estate recovery where small businesses face extended operational gaps due to regional infrastructure uncertainty.
Operators in fire-prone zones should review their commercial lease terms regarding force majeure and business interruption coverage to mitigate the impact of long-term facility inaccessibility. Ensure that your continuity plan accounts for extended recovery timelines that may necessitate a site relocation.
The takeaway
Disasters can create prolonged barriers to re-entry that make remaining in a specific neighborhood commercially unfeasible. Consider maintaining a contingency plan that outlines specific trigger points for when to pivot to a new location versus holding space during recovery efforts.
Further reading
For more updates on regional business continuity, visit Openings & Closings.
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