The Palisades Village Grand Reopening was an emotional day attended by thousands.
The outdoor lifestyle mall, launched in 2018 by Caruso Founder and Executive Chairman Rick Caruso, reopened Aug. 15 for the first time since the devastating Pacific Palisades and Malibu fires in early January 2025.
“Yeah, we’re in shot,” says Rick Caruso as he was meticulously checking on the line of sight to the stage near the outdoor patio (the future home of Nancy Silverton’s Spacca Tutto) and lawn where the evening performance led by Grammy Award-winning composer David Foster was being set up.
Earlier that day, a ribbon cutting took place in the sweltering heat, and Caruso took brief refuge in Gino Angelini’s air-conditioned restaurant before an onslaught of well-wishers descended upon the Palisades Village.
“I’ve been waiting 19 months for this day, and to say, ‘Welcome to the Palisades Village,’” he told the crowd as he praised the city for its support and sent a message on behalf of the Caruso team and family. “This town was like Mayberry by the Sea and a Norman Rockwell picture until a nuclear bomb hit,” he said. “We will never leave your side and be shoulder to shoulder until everyone is back home.”
The gathering was a mix of locals, tenants, community leaders, fans from other towns and supporters who were euphoric about the village revamp with 40 offerings of retail, entertainment and food options at a reported $100 million investment.
A steady stream of well-wishers approached Caruso to shake his hand and thank him, but he was actually the appreciative one. “I’m so grateful to this community, my team and to my family. Thank you for being there by my side and the support you gave me during some dark hours. Without their encouragement, I couldn’t have done it.”
Standing beside Caruso was his family, along with retailer Elyse Walker, who reopened in not one but two spaces, and Chef Tim Hollingsworth launching his new American grill concept Alphabet Bar & Grill (in homage to the local streets) with The h.wood Group founders John Terzian and Brian Toll.
“The minute Rick called me about being part of the rebuilding of Palisades, I jumped to do it,” Terzian told the Courier. “My partner and I both were born and raised in L.A. and I’m from this surrounding area. And all of my friends and family were affected by the fires. I said, ‘We’ve got to plant a flag and build it, and they will come.’”
As for chef Hollingsworth, this was his first significant project since closing Otium in downtown L.A. several years ago. He happily took the opportunity to support the local community and be part of the rebuilding process. “I was thinking about it in the sense of a neighborhood restaurant. Something that you could rely on and take your family to multiple times a week, versus a special occasion place,” he told the Courier. “It’s something I wanted to be a part of, to support and build new memories as a staple in the community.”
Returning dining concepts include Porta Via, Blue Ribbon Sushi (which now has an omakase counter component) and McConnell’s ice cream, along with retailers Jennifer Meyer, Veronica Beard and Diptyque, mixed in with newcomers from popular denim brand Mother (who also just opened on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills) and Violet Grey for makeup and skincare.
“It’s such a good vibe, the energy is so high, and I think everyone is so excited to be back,” Meyer told the Courier, whose eponymous jewelry store has been a longstanding village staple. “There is only happiness here! If today is any indication, we are going to see a lot of success. People from other towns really wanting to visit. There is something for everyone. You can have a fancy dinner and also bring your kids. It’s a good balance.”
Throughout the day, a carnival atmosphere prevailed with live music and vendors handing out popsicles, cotton candy, lemonade and giant pretzels. Arts and entertainment stations included artists painting live watercolor postcards as take-home gifts, and handbag charms with logos from the village that guests could create as keepsakes.
Later that morning, Caruso told the Courier, “When I look around, I’m hoping, and praying, there will be some sort of contagious enthusiasm and that maybe people who were on the fence about coming back and rebuilding will change their minds.”
Caruso is also planning to be a platform and a big voice leading the charge for change. “It’s 30,000 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a breeze. The real estate is the best in the world and yes, it’s going to come back,” added the developer. “The important thing is how it comes back, and we have to come back where everybody has an opportunity—even the older people and the ones that can’t afford to rebuild. We need to lean in and help them. The city, the county, the state and the federal government need to get dollars to Altadena, Malibu and the Palisades to get the infrastructure better. We have lots to do.”
“Real estate is all about people and I’m in the people business,” he told the Courier. “I can build a bunch of stores and beautiful places, but if people don’t come and enjoy it, it doesn’t matter. I was most excited to see the thousands of people here today.”
The event was certainly high in enthusiasm for the reopened village. Passersby were calling out “Caruso for Mayor,” and thanking him profusely throughout the day. “This means so much to me and my family,” was a common sentiment.
As the sun went down, guests gathered on the lawn for a megawatt performance from the Hollywood Film Orchestra led by composer William Ross, and David Foster served as musical director and emcee of the entertainment that included musicians from both the Palisades and Altadena who lost homes in the fires. Performances included the Palisades Charter High School Choir, Katharine McPhee, and Ryan Tedder who sang “Good Life” and “Counting Stars,” and was introduced by Kate Hudson (who grew up in the Palisades and even bought back her childhood home to raise her own children). Former honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, actor-turned-composer Anthony Hopkins made an appearance, and the sky lit up with a drone display of positive messages throughout the evening. It was “a love letter to everybody,” which is what Foster and the team set out to do.
“This is really a homecoming and it’s good to take a pause and celebrate and give people hope,” said Caruso of the day’s festivities. “However, there is much more to be done to bring back the city. This is not a finish line. Not even close. But this is a mega-step in the Palisades comeback. We didn’t come this far to only come this far.”
