Duke’s Malibu Faces Devastating Layoffs Amid Mudslide Chaos
Ah yes, another day in paradise, where mudslides and misfortune crash the party at Duke’s Malibu. Once a beloved culinary haven since 1996, this iconic restaurant has recently discovered that Mother Nature is not a fan of fine dining. After grappling with the aftermath of wildfires and now a catastrophic mudslide, Duke’s has laid off a staggering 126 employees, a move that was officially noted on California’s WARN list as “Closure Permanent.” But hold your horses! Before we mourn over our calamari, an update on social media defies the doomsday vibes—Duke’s is temporarily closed, not permanently shuttered, and they promise a summer comeback once repairs are complete.
The restaurant’s CEO, Jackie Reed, expressed gratitude for the community support while lamenting the necessity of layoffs due to ongoing closures that began on January 7. General Manager Jimmy Chavez, who was optimistic about reopening after smoke remediation from the Palisades Fire, is now faced with the grim reality of mud flooding the entire establishment. It’s a tragic twist for the 130 employees, many of whom have ties to the community, including the original Gidget, Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman, who lost her home to the wildfires.
The mudslide not only wreaked havoc on the restaurant but also claimed the attention of local authorities, as a firefighter’s vehicle was swept into the ocean during the chaos. It’s a harsh reminder that while Hollywood may glamorize the Malibu lifestyle, nature sometimes writes the script with a decidedly tragic pen. So, here’s hoping that Duke’s can rise from the ashes—or rather, the mud—like a phoenix in flip-flops. Class dismissed. Try not to let this newfound wisdom go to waste.
Sources: Celebrity Storm
Image Credit: Attribution from EXIF: Artist: Bill Snead
