Los Angeles County announced a new program designed to help small business owners stay open after businesses in the unincorporated city of Topanga continue to reel from the effects of the prolonged closure of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Starting July 1, small business owners in and around Topanga will be able to apply for one-time grants of up to $10,000, as part of a new business interruption fund, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
“We just said, what do you really need? So they said this financial assistance would make a difference,” Horvath said. “I know people are trying to figure out how to keep staff during this time, how they can prepare. “A couple of months is different than a year.”
Topanga Canyon Boulevard, also known as State Route 27, closed in early March due to a major landslide near Pacific Coast Highway.
The highway, normally used by tens of thousands of drivers each day to travel between the coast and the San Fernando Valley, will remain closed at least through the fall while Caltrans cleans and makes repairs, the state agency announced in April.
The shutdown has dramatically impacted small business owners, as much of their business comes from people passing through town.
“I mean, we’re like 50% down since the shutdown. So, you know, it’s been like a few months, but we rolled up our sleeves and started working,” said Enrico Busto, owner of a custom hat shop in Topanga. “So we funded this nonprofit called Visit Topanga Canyon. “So we are getting all the companies together and trying to organize something.”
Busto helped organize Second Saturday, an event that invites people from all over to visit and shop in Topanga.
“That’s why every second Saturday of the month we organize music all over Topanga. There are like four or five different concerts and activities and a play area for the kids and, you know, card reading and, you know, all the fun things that Topanga has to offer with all the artists and musicians we have in the area . ”Busto said. “So this is kind of a small step to try to bring some people into the canyon, you know, people who wouldn’t come anyway.”
The next event is scheduled for June 8.
Meanwhile, Ronald Fomalont, president of the Topanga Chamber of Commerce, said he wants people to know that while Topanga Canyon Boulevard remains closed, the city of Topanga remains open.
“It’s actually just the highway that’s closed and you can get to all the businesses from the valley side, you know, all the businesses are open,” he explained. “You just can’t get to the beach. So we’ve been trying really hard, you know, really desperate to get the word out that, hey she, we’re open for business. Come spend your money. Everything remains the same”.
More information about the fund can be found at the county. website.