Los Angeles County has announced a new program to help small business owners stay open as the extended closure of Topanga Canyon Boulevard continues to hurt businesses in the unincorporated city of Topanga.
Starting July 1, small business owners in and near Topanga will be able to apply for one-time payments of up to $10,000 as part of a new business interruption fund, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Holbert.
“We just asked them what they really needed, and they said this financial support would make a difference,” Holbert said. “I know people are thinking about how they can keep staff employed and how they can prepare during this time. A few months is different than a year.”
Topanga Canyon Boulevard, also known as State Route 27, was closed in early March after a large landslide occurred near Pacific Coast Highway.
The road, used by tens of thousands of drivers each day to commute between the coast and the San Fernando Valley, will remain closed until at least the fall while the California Department of Transportation conducts cleanup and repairs, state officials announced in April.
For small business owners, much of their business comes from people passing through town, so the closure hit them hard.
“Since we closed, our sales have dropped by about half, so after a few months, we just rolled up our sleeves and got to work,” said Enrico Busto, who owns a custom millinery store in Topanga, “so we've donated money to a nonprofit called Visit Topanga Canyon, where we're trying to bring all the businesses together and organize something.”
Busto helped organize Second Saturday, an event that invites people from around the world to visit and shop at Topanga.
“We have a music event throughout Topanga on the second Saturday of every month. There are four or five different concerts and activities, a play area for kids, card readings – there are so many fun events in Topanga featuring area artists and musicians,” Busto said. “This is just one small step to bring people to the canyon who might not otherwise come.”
The next event is scheduled for June 8th.
Meanwhile, Ronald Fomaronto, president of the Topanga Chamber of Commerce, said he wants people to know that while Topanga Canyon Boulevard remains closed, the town of Topanga remains open.
“It's just the roads that are closed, you can get to all the shops from the valley side. They're all open,” he explained. “You just can't get to the beach. So we're trying really hard, really desperately to get the message out: 'We're open. Spend your money. It's business as usual.'”
More information about the fund can be found on the county's website.
