Fire-impacted residents are invited to socialize, eat, reminisce, and gather with neighbors displaced after January’s destructive blazes
On Jan. 7, Malibu endured the worst disaster in its history. Flames tore through Big Rock and neighboring canyons, and unprecedentedly destroyed hundreds of beachfront homes, leaving families reeling from loss. As Malibu has been struggling to heal and rebuild, the community has been invited to pause and gather together at Duke’s on Saturday, Oct. 11. The beloved restaurant that has faced its own struggles following the fire will host a free community gathering in partnership with the Big Rock neighborhood.
The event — open to anyone affected by the fire — will be a chance to share food, stories, and solidarity in the face of devastation.
Jimmy Chavez, general manager and partner at Duke’s, said the restaurant was honored to provide a space for the gathering. “We’re just really happy to be that place where people can come together again,” he said. “It’s been such a challenging year for everyone. Even though we’re not fully open yet, having neighbors reconnect in our space feels really special.”
The concept began with a conversation between Big Rock neighbors Patty Phillips and Jo Drummond, both whom lost so much in the fire. Drummond lost her family home, and Phillips nearly lost her life during her harrowing evacuation from the box canyon. With only one escape route, the 30-year resident was blinded by thick smoke, made a wrong turn, and became trapped in her car with her dog. After pleading with firefighters to save his wife, husband James Sarantinos finally convinced fireman Malcolm Dix to join him and reenter the canyon, engulfed in flames, to rescue her. Phillip’s story is emblematic of the disaster’s chaos and resilience in the face of calamity.
What started as a plan for a small neighborhood get-together quickly expanded. “The original idea was just to get the Big Rock community together, because of all the homes that were lost there — something like 180 out of 230,” Chavez explained. “But then it grew to include nearby neighborhoods like Las Flores and La Costa. Now it’s become a full community appreciation event.”
The heart of the day, from 1 to 4 p.m. is clear: connection. Neighbors who haven’t seen each other since the fire will have a chance to meet again in a safe, welcoming space, with Duke’s providing food and drinks. Organizers are also considering live music and opportunities for people to share their experiences.
Duke’s generosity in the face of its own struggles to reopen following the fire and a catastrophic mudslide is to be lauded. The restaurant has been closed since Jan. 8, relying on mobile kitchens to cater private events while waiting for permits to begin construction. Chavez admits the process has been grueling, with constantly shifting timelines and mounting expenses.
Still, when asked about costs, he emphasized Duke’s commitment to giving back. “We’re planning to donate the space and the food,” he said. “If there was any budget, it was going to be used to support our staff. But for the community, we just wanted to open our doors.”
That generosity is not lost on residents, many of whom see Duke’s as more than a Malibu landmark, but as a family gathering place.
For Phillips, Drummond, and the many others who have been pushing this event forward, the gathering is about more than free food and music. It’s about acknowledging what has been lost and creating room to begin imagining what comes next.
“Our community has been torn apart,” reads the invitation. “But now it’s time to come together, reconnect, and begin rebuilding the Malibu we all love so deeply.”
“In a few weeks, we’ll gather at Duke’s after the Palisades Fire to celebrate Malibu’s true strength: its people,” said Drummond. “Homes can be rebuilt, but when we come together as a community, our spirit shines brighter than ever. We hope neighbors and friends will join us in keeping Malibu Strong.”
Chavez echoed that sentiment. “People need this, and we’re honored to host. It won’t be the grand reopening of the restaurant just yet — we’ll still be in the Ocean Room, but it will be a really wonderful day.”
The Oct. 11 event from 1 to 4 p.m. promises to be exactly that — a day to laugh, cry, and remember, but also a day to look forward. For a community still raw from loss, it’s a chance to plant the first seeds of renewal.
As Chavez summed up: “We just want to welcome everyone back, honor what’s been lost, and start moving forward together.”