Erewhon and others closed by fire are set to reopen at the Pacific Palisades mall

Chic grocer Erewhon will return to Pacific Palisades in a completely remodeled store, while the neighborhood's luxury mall, owned by developer Rick Caruso, is being renovated for reopening next August.

Palisades Village has been closed since the Jan. 7 wildfire destroyed much of the neighborhood. The outdoor mall survived the fire but needed renovations to remove contaminants that could have spread the fire, Caruso said.

The developer is spending $60 million to rebuild Palisades Village by removing and replacing drywall in stores and restaurants. Dirt from outside areas is also replaced.

The demolition has been completed and the tenants' rooms are now being restored, Caruso said.

“From a scientific perspective, this was not necessary,” he said. “But it was important to me to be able to tell guests that the property was safe and clean.”

Erewhon's store has been scaled down to size and will be remodeled with a larger outdoor seating area for dining and events.

When it opens its doors sometime next year, it will be the only grocer in the heart of the fire-ravaged neighborhood.

The announcement of Erewhon's comeback represents a milestone in Pacific Palisades' recovery and signals renewed investment in restoring essential neighborhood services and supporting the community's long-term economic health, Caruso said.

“They are one of the sexiest supermarkets in the world right now and are in high demand,” he said. “Their commitment to reopen is a huge statement about the future of the Palisades and their belief that they will come back stronger than ever.”

Caruso previously attributed the mall's survival to the hard work of private firefighters and the fireproof materials used in the mall's construction. The $200 million shopping and dining center opened in 2018 with a movie theater and a number of upscale tenants, including Erewhon.

“We are honored to join the incredible efforts at Palisades Village,” Tony Antoci, executive director of Erewhon, said in a statement. “Reopening is a meaningful way for us to contribute to the healing and renewal of this neighborhood.”

Erewhon has built a following of shoppers who stop by daily to grab a ready-made meal or one of his celebrity-endorsed $20 smoothies.

The privately held company doesn't disclose financials, but said its all-day cafes take up about 30% of its floor space and serve 100,000 customers each week.

Erewhon also specializes beyond selling food.

The rapidly growing private label line now includes Erewhon-branded apparel, bags, candles, supplements and bath and body products.

Erewhon will also open new stores in West Hollywood in February, in Glendale in May and at Caruso's The Lakes at Thousand Oaks shopping center in July 2026.

About 90% of tenants are expected to return to the mall once it reopens, Caruso said, including restaurants Angelini Ristorante & Bar and Hank's. Local chef Nancy Silverton has agreed to move into a new Italian steakhouse called Spacca Tutto.

In May, Pacific Palisades-based fashion designer Elyse Walker announced she would reopen her eponymous store in Palisades Village after losing her 25-year-old flagship location on Antioch Street to Inferno.

“People who live in the Palisades don’t want to leave,” Walker said at the time. “It’s a magical place.”

Caruso continued the annual holiday traditions at Palisades Village this year, including lighting a 50-foot Christmas tree for hundreds of revelers on Dec. 5. On Sunday evening, leaders of the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades gathered at the mall to light a towering menorah.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, a total of 6,822 structures were destroyed in the Palisades fire, including more than 5,500 homes and 100 businesses.

Caruso said he hopes the mall's revitalization will inspire residents to return. His investment “shows my belief that the community is coming back,” he said. “Next year is going to be huge.”