A pizzeria operating for nearly 12 years in Los Angeles burned to the ground and “multiple team members” lost their homes in the fires that recently consumed the city’s Altadena neighborhood.
Sean St. John and Jamie Woolner, owners of Pizza of Venice (POV), posted photos of their restaurant’s remnants on Instagram, noting, “What seemed unimaginable just a few days ago has now occurred, leaving our community devastated and displaced.”
According to POV’s website, the pizzeria served “as a tribute to the dynamic culture of Venice Beach during its heyday, where artistic creativity and boardwalk hustle culture flourished.” It’s known for its housemade 100-day-aged pepperoni, oak-smoked mozzarella and hand-squeezed limeade.
POV also hosted a monthly Trans Pizza Party for the Trans community, an event that “fills our restaurant with so much pride and joy,” Woolner recently wrote, according to LGBQT Nation. “We’re proud to be a safe space where folks can feel comfortable to express themselves and build community.”
In a January 10 social media post, the owners wrote, “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.
“We don’t yet know what the future holds, but we love Altadena deeply. As far as help goes, we encourage everyone to focus on supporting the community. If you know a Pizza of Venice employee personally, please reach out to them directly and offer any assistance you can.”
St. John grew up in Barbados, where “the taste of sea water and the smell of African spices on the trails of the Saharan dust storms filled my senses as a child,” he states on the POV website. “Almost all of my earliest memories include food and the ocean, either growing the food or catching and cooking fish.”
Woolner, the pizzeria’s chef, grew up in L.A., but his family has roots in New Orleans. He “infuses laidback southern style and Los Angeles melting-pot fusion into each one of his dishes.”
St. John and Woolner started POV by selling their pizzas at a farmers market, then opened a little shop with just two tables before expanding into a larger space—which has now been reduced to ashes. “We hope to grow together again in the future, but for now, our primary focus is the health and safety of everyone affected,” they wrote on Instagram.
“In the meantime,” the post continued, “we ask everyone to be kind, patient, and understanding. Take care of one another, stay safe, and support those who need it most. Together, we will rise from this tragedy.
