Duke’s, the beloved seaside restaurant in Malibu, has faced yet another setback following the devastating Palisades fire earlier this year. While the restaurant was among the few structures to survive the fire, recent heavy rains have caused mudslides that have significantly impacted its operations.
On Thursday, as the restaurant’s management was preparing to reopen after smoke damage repairs, rain triggered mudslides from the nearby scorched hillsides. Las Flores Canyon Road was transformed into a torrent of mud that flowed across the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and inundated Duke’s parking lot. This new disaster has delayed the restaurant’s reopening by several months, according to manager Jimmy Chaves, compounding the challenges faced by the establishment and its 130 employees, six of whom lost their homes in the fire.
The mudslide also led to the closure of the section of PCH in front of Duke’s, although one lane has since been reopened for emergency and cleanup crews. Duke’s, named after Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, has been a cherished destination for both tourists and locals for decades.
Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, who is known for inspiring the 1959 film "Gidget," continues to work at Duke’s as an “Ambassador of Aloha,” highlighting the restaurant’s deep roots in the community and its connection to California’s surf culture.
As the local community rallies to support the restaurant and its staff, the impact of these natural disasters underscores the ongoing challenges faced by businesses in fire-prone areas, particularly those that have already endured significant losses. The resilience of Duke’s and its employees will be critical as they work through these latest hurdles and strive to reclaim their place as a favorite dining spot along the coast.