Since the Eaton Fire destroyed many parts of the Altadena community, Good Neighbor Bar in Altadena has transformed its patio into a community space where neighborhood meetings take place, and businesses impacted by the wildfire are given a space to sell.
One of the businesses that are trying to move forward in the aftermath is Tacos Casa, owned and operated by Brisa Lopez.
The Eaton Fire destroyed her home and much of her catering business, but she’s still cooking while rebuilding her life.
“The day after, when we came back, the garage door was on fire, and some grass, flowers and a tree, too,” Lopez recalled.
Lopez said she traded stability for a long-held dream by leaving her corporate marketing job and starting Tacos Casa 10 years ago, not just to offer a plate of food but possibly “make someone else’s life a little bit better.”
But the dream nearly went up in the flames when the Eaton Fire swallowed much of his business.
“We lost everything inside. I lost all my equipment, and the roof collapsed,” Lopez said. “But it’s OK. We are here. My stepdaughter is here. My husband (is here.)That’s what’s important.”
Although Lopez admits that rebuilding her life has been exhausting, her business has been moving forward, fueled by community support. World Central Kitchen and other non-profits have helped her find a commercial kitchen while local businesses like Good Neighbor Bar have provided temporary places to sell.
“It’s not easy. You have to work with the aftermath. Today it took me some time to get myself together because it’s very hard, very tiring, very difficult,” she said. “But the support, seeing people come by every week, that’s what keeps me going.”
Tacos Casa sells tacos at Good Neighbor Bar every Tuesday while different vendors offer their food everyday.
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