Pizza of Venice in Altadena, CA, now lies in ashes.
A pizzeria that was host to a regular “trans pizza party” was lost to the fires that consumed the Altadena neighborhood of Los Angeles last week, the owners announced on Instagram over the weekend.
A photo accompanying the post from the restaurant, Pizza of Venice, shows the only remnants of the once-thriving pizza joint: two picnic tables that hosted customers out front, and the tottering remains of the restaurant’s pizza oven chimney.
Related:
At least 24 people have died in the fires in Los Angeles, which destroyed over 12,000 structures in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, and other areas along the coast and interior hills and valleys. More than 60 square miles have burned as winds continue to rage across Southern California.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Altadena was particularly hard hit as vast swaths of homes and business were reduced to ash in the fast-moving inferno. Only the occasional chimney and smoke-choked tree remain standing. Over time, both will fall.
Pizza of Venice occupied a nondescript strip mall next to a liquor store on a commercial street called Fair Oaks Ave. The restaurant filled to capacity and often spilled into the parking lot with the biweekly trans pizza party gathering.
“We are so honored to host Trans Pizza party at Pizza of Venice,” wrote the owners, Sean St. John and Jamie Woolnder, recently. “This monthly event constantly clears us out of limeades and fills our restaurant with so much pride and joy. We’re proud to be a safe space where folks can feel comfortable to express themselves and build community. Thanks for all the love 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈💖”
The sight of their restaurant in ruins left them “speechless,” the owners wrote on Saturday.
“As many of you know, Pizza of Venice was one of the many homes and businesses that burned in Altadena. What seemed unimaginable just a few days ago has now occurred, leaving our community devastated and displaced.
“Walking up to the restaurant last night and seeing what remained left us utterly speechless. The devastation is overwhelming, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this disaster. We are deeply grateful to report that the entire Pizza of Venice team is safe and healthy, but tragically, multiple team members have lost their homes.
“During our nearly 12 years in Altadena, we’ve been privileged to witness this neighborhood grow and thrive. From our beginnings as a farmers market booth to opening a small restaurant with just two tables, to expanding into our current space with beer and wine service, this community has always been the cornerstone of our success. We hope to grow together again in the future, but for now, our primary focus is the health and safety of everyone affected.”
“Together,” St. John and Woolnder wrote, “we will rise from this tragedy.”
Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.
