When Main Street Hurts, Santa Clarita Shows Up

Old Town Newhall businesses need our support after a devastating fire

In the early morning hours of Monday, August 24, a devastating fire tore through Old Town Newhall, damaging or destroying several beloved businesses, community spaces and historic properties along Main Street. Among those affected were Newhall Refinery, Care Tucker Style House, The MAIN, Gary’s Collision Auto Center and the location formerly occupied by El Trocadero Mexican Restaurant.

More than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze, working for hours to contain the flames and protect surrounding buildings. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

For those who know Old Town Newhall, this loss goes far beyond storefronts and inventory. Main Street is where we gather with friends, support local entrepreneurs, celebrate special occasions and experience the creativity and character that make our community unique.

Newhall Refinery has long been a destination for shared meals, celebrations and meaningful conversations. Care Tucker Style House brought creativity, style and personal connection to Main Street. The MAIN gave artists, performers and audiences a place to come together and experience the arts close to home. Gary’s Collision Auto Center provided an important service to local residents and represented the hardworking, community-rooted businesses that help keep Santa Clarita moving.

The fire also destroyed the location formerly occupied by El Trocadero Mexican Restaurant, a place that holds decades of memories for generations of Santa Clarita residents. Although the restaurant was no longer operating at the location, the building remained an important part of Old Town Newhall’s history and identity.

Behind every affected business and property are owners who invested years of work into their dreams, employees facing unexpected uncertainty and families trying to determine what comes next.

Now, they need us.

Community members who wish to help can contribute to the following fundraisers:

• Support Newhall Refinery: gofund.me/e0b5f2a03
• Support Care Tucker: gofund.me/22dd59b11

Every contribution, regardless of size, can help these businesses begin the difficult process of recovering and rebuilding. If donating is not possible, sharing these fundraisers, offering words of encouragement and continuing to support Old Town Newhall businesses are meaningful ways to make a difference.

We also encourage our community to keep The MAIN, Gary’s Collision Auto Center, the former El Trocadero property and every other business, employee and family affected by this fire in their thoughts as additional opportunities to provide support become available.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to protect our community during this devastating emergency.

Old Town Newhall has always been more than a collection of shops, restaurants and venues. It is part of the heart of Santa Clarita. When that heart hurts, our community responds with generosity, compassion and action.

Let’s stand beside our neighbors, support the people behind these businesses and show once again what makes the Santa Clarita Valley such a special place to call home.