Malibu Glass, destroyed in fire, remains open.
By Laura Tate / Editor
Various business owners and employees in and near Malibu are offering help to those affected by the Malibu Canyon fire, which continues to burn above Carbon Canyon.
Richard Chesterfield of Monrose Catering has opened his kitchen at 22601 Pacific Coast Highway to firefighters and other emergency personnel in the area who are in need of a meal until 6 p.m. “I’ve got a big pot of lentil soup on,” said Peter Ugo, who works with Chesterfield.
Chase Taylor of the Spectrum Athletic Club in Pacific Palisades located at Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway is offering the club’s facilities “to anyone affected by the fires … they can shower, workout or hang out in steam room” free of charge, he said.
The club’s phone number is 310.459.2582.
Ralphs grocery store at Malibu Colony Shopping Plaza on Malibu Road remains open and had dedicated a checkout counter to fire and emergency personnel. Les Wiggins of Kentucky Fried Chicken on Pacific Coast Highway near the Malibu Pier said he has plenty of chicken for emergency personnel.
One business that met misfortune in Malibu is the Malibu Glass Company, owned by Gerald Lemonnier. The business, located on Winter Canyon Road near Webster Elementary School, was destroyed by the fire on Sunday.
Established in 1971 by Pierre and Solange Lemonnier, the business was originally located on Pacific Coast Highway near where Beau Rivage restaurant is now located.
Their son Gerald learned the business from his father and when Pierre died in 1980 Gerald took over.
Solange, who is not involved in the business any longer, said, “Everyone thing’s gone; we saved two trucks that were there.”
Solange said she is “still in shock … it’s sinking in loud and clear, everything’s gone.”
Of how her son is handling the loss, she said, “It’s a tough time, but he’s handling it OK, it’s no fun being burned out.”
She said her son is keeping the business open, despite the loss of the building.
“We were burned out, but are not out of business,” she said.
Malibu Glass Company can be contacted at 310.456.1844.