With most customers gone, Altadena’s Lake Avenue businesses are slow to return

After driving through the intersection at New York Drive, traffic headed north along Altadena’s Lake Avenue toward the San Gabriel Mountains is light — always, even during rush hour.

In the year since the Eaton firestorm swept through the foothill community on Jan. 7, 2025, navigating the town is easy. The mom-and-pop businesses and restaurants that once lined the short stretch of Lake are largely gone — as are some of the fire-ravaged surrounding neighborhoods.

Christmas Tree Lane...