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Main Street's Recovery is a Santa Clarita Group Project
Here's what you already know: On August 24, a devastating fire spread through part of Main Street in Old Town Newhall.
The loss has shaken Santa Clarita.
Dave Rendall, owner of RE/MAX Santa Clarita, Valencia and Gateway, summarizes our community's shared grief: "Our hearts go out to the businesses, employees and property owners who recently suffered devastating losses in Old Town Newhall. These businesses are more than storefronts, they are part of the character, energy and identity of our community and their losses are felt by all of us."
Within days, tens of thousands of dollars had been raised in support of impacted businesses and families - but in online forums on social media and around SCV dinner tables, important questions were raised: What's next for Main Street... and what can we do?
We asked Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin about that first question - his answers are on page two of this article. As for what we, the community, can do - here's what some Main Street business owners suggest.
"Come down to Main Street," says Michael Mustac, owner of Society Pizza Lounge. "Have dinner. Buy a birthday gift. Grab a cocktail. See a show. Get your hair done. Bring your family. Celebrate something here. And when you find a local business you love, tell somebody about it."
"People sometimes underestimate how powerful a single $50 or $100 purchase can be to a locally-owned business," says Mustac. "That money stays here. It pays a server, a cook, a bartender, a shop employee and another local vendor. You don't have to save Main Street. Just use Main Street."
Rendall agrees. "Recovery also depends on all of us being intentional about supporting our local businesses," says the real estate expert. "Every time someone eats at a local restaurant, shops at a local store, takes a class, attends an event or chooses to spend their money with a Santa Clarita small business, it makes a difference."
Recovery will take meaningful, coordinated effort. "We hope our residents, business community and City continue working together to support Old Town Newhall, encourage investment and help the area rebuild and prosper," says Rendall. "We remain committed to Old Town Newhall and believe its best days are still ahead."
Every business owner we spoke to shared optimism about the future - and also a reminder that, right now, there's still plenty to experience and enjoy on Main Street.
"Hopefully, people will realize how much our area has to offer, and remember there are still lots of great shops, restaurants, theaters and places with live music to visit," says TimBen Boydston, executive and artistic director of Canyon Theatre Guild. "I hope the new projects can get construction underway soon."
"While this has been an incredibly difficult time, we remain very optimistic about the future of Old Town Newhall," says Rendall. "We have seen firsthand how this community rallies together when people need support, and we believe Main Street will continue to recover, grow and thrive in the years ahead."

Old Town Newhall Recovery Q&A
with City Manager Ken Striplin
What's next for Main Street? What can the community expect?
Main Street is open for business and remains the heart of Old Town Newhall, the City's premier Arts and Entertainment District. While we continue to mourn the loss of beloved local businesses and The MAIN, the Santa Clarita City Council remains committed to supporting Main Street and preserving the history, character and sense of community that make this district so special. There is still so much to experience and enjoy, and we encourage you to visit your favorite boutiques, restaurants, breweries, tasting rooms and theatres - and discover something new along the way. The best way we can all support Main Street is to keep showing up, shopping local and experiencing everything that makes Old Town Newhall special.
What is the City doing to support Main Street after the fire?
Under the leadership of the City Council, staff is working at many levels to support the businesses and artists who lost so much in the fire. Please visit oldtownnewhall.com to donate to various affected groups, as well as see information for upcoming fundraisers. As we heard from our City Council and from our residents, Santa Clarita steps up to support those in need. That is evident in the number of people hosting fundraisers, offering performance space, donating to the employees who lost their source of income and making crucial connections to resources. The City is partnering with Los Angeles County on recovery and relief resources through the Department of Economic Opportunity and has been in regular contact with the business owners.
Will planned programming continue as scheduled?
SENSES Block Party will take place as planned on Thursday, September 17, but the event will have an expanded footprint, stretching south to include the block in front of Hart & Main where a fundraiser will be taking place simultaneously. Love on Main Street, hosted by Hart & Main, will be an evening of music, food and community, with 100 percent of proceeds going to the people affected. Food will be provided by Newhall Refinery in Hart & Main's kitchen, Care Tucker will be hosting a pop-up shop and a silent auction will extend onto Main Street so those attending SENSES have a chance to bid and support. SENSES remains a free event; tickets for Love on Main are $100 and can be purchased separately. Light Up Main Street, presented by DrinkPak, will take place on Saturday, November 21 from 4pm to 8pm.
How can SCV residents support not just the businesses that lost their property, but all of Main Street right now?
Go to Main Street, support the remaining businesses and donate at oldtownnewhall.com. Our City Council is committed to preserving the spirit of Main Street as a place where our community comes together, supports one another and celebrates everything that makes Old Town Newhall unique.
To learn more about how to support affected businesses and Old Town Newhall, log on. oldtownnewhall.com