West Hollywood Water Main Break Impacts Local Businesses

On Thursday morning, Tadeh Ghazalian checked Instagram and saw a concerning video. A water main break near his restaurant, Dialog Cafe, showed a torrent of water flooding the street. Shortly after, he noticed numerous texts and voicemails from concerned friends, family, and staff. Dialog Cafe, a popular family spot at a busy Sunset Strip intersection, was directly impacted by a sinkhole caused by the water.

All that water that came out of that line immediately went right in my front door, and it continued for four or five hours,” Ghazalian said. “… It looked like a pool.

Early that morning, a 110-year-old underground pipe burst in West Hollywood, releasing 17 million gallons of water. This incident flooded businesses, homes, and garages, and created a sinkhole at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is installing a new pipe, aiming to fully reopen affected streets by Monday.

Still, some businesses may remain closed for months. Dialog Cafe, key to the local community since 2007, is among them. Originally an internet cafe, it was transformed into a cafe with a European model when Armenian immigrants Rafik and Kenar Ghazalian moved from Italy to join their sons in L.A. Tadeh, an accountant, was drawn into the cafe alongside his brother before their father’s passing, and they eventually took over the business. Dialog Cafe’s tables were regularly filled, with customers lining up around the block.

The family’s recent expansion with a Sawtelle location at 1835 S. Sepulveda Blvd remains operational. However, rebuilding the West Hollywood site poses significant challenges. When Ghazalian arrived there at 7 a.m. Thursday, he expected to remove mud and water from the floor. Discovering the basement completely flooded, he realized the need to remove drywall and floors entirely.

Everything’s destroyed,” he admitted, “from the walls to the door.

The water damage prevented the back door from closing, forcing Ghazalian to secure the cafe by drilling plywood into the frames. The to-go area, crucial for the cafe’s business, lost part of its flooring due to water force. After resolving utility shutdowns, Dialog Cafe resumed gas and electricity services late Thursday, enabling them to offer free coffee and pastries to repair workers on Friday.

Despite this, the cafe’s unexpected closure has been distressing. Customary patrons seeking breakfast items and drinks were met with disappointment. Still, the community’s support has been overwhelming, with heartfelt interactions including hugs from emotional customers.

I’m really touched by how important this is for people. Our family’s really grateful for the support we’ve had, Ghazalian noted.

Offers from nearby business owners to share facilities have been appreciated. Social media comments, filled with humor and encouragement, have also lifted spirits, including one comment wishing to spare the cafe from the sinkhole’s damage.

To manage recovery efforts, Ghazalian is exploring temporary relocation options for Dialog Cafe. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the cafe’s staff of about 90 members and assist in repair costs.

I’ve been in the restaurant for 17 years, working long days, and loved it… The silence of the morning was strange, he reflected.

Other nearby businesses also felt the impact. Mel’s Drive-In experienced a 30-40% drop in sales due to road closures. Although some streets reopened on Friday, business remained slower than usual.

At least we’re open. I feel bad for the businesses that aren’t open… It’s a real mess, said co-owner Colton Weiss.