𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡: Farmers Market Reopens After Fire Closure

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — On Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market returned to Swarthmore Avenue for the first time since the January 2025 Palisades Fire forced the market to close. The reopening began with remarks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m., followed by market hours from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 1035 Swarthmore Ave., adjacent to Palisades Village. Melissa Farwell, director of the Palisades Farmers Market, spoke before the ribbon cutting alongside Jennifer McClem, the market’s founder. Farwell said the market first opened on Sept. 17, 2000, on Swarthmore Avenue and had served as a gathering place for nearly 26 years. Farwell said many of the farmers and vendors at the reopening had been part of the market for 10, 20 or even 26 years. “Thank you for welcoming us home,” Farwell said. Rick Caruso, developer of Palisades Village, also welcomed the market’s return and encouraged residents from Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Santa Monica to support the farmers and vendors. Caruso described the market as a needed grocery option for the community as larger supermarket service continues to return. “This is now your supermarket,” Caruso said during the ceremony. Caruso said the reopening marked another major step in the commercial district’s recovery, citing strong customer traffic and sales at Palisades Village businesses since reopening over the weekend. Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park also spoke at the ceremony, calling the market’s return part of a week of recovery milestones in the Palisades. Park noted that Palisades Charter High School had returned to campus for the new school year and that more than 40 businesses had reopened at Palisades Village. California farmers and local vendors offered fresh produce, flowers, prepared foods and artisan goods as shoppers returned to the outdoor market. The market also introduced a new weekly schedule, shifting from its former Sunday morning hours to Wednesday afternoons. Its returning footprint was limited to Swarthmore Avenue. Before the closure, vendors operated along portions of both Swarthmore Avenue and Antioch Street. Raw Inspiration, the nonprofit organization behind California Certified Farmers Markets, has operated the Pacific Palisades market since 2000. The market’s return restored a longtime community gathering place as businesses, schools and public spaces continued reopening across Pacific Palisades. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document community events, public spaces and recovery milestones across Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and the Westside.