Dear friends,

We are temporarily closed due to a fire that started in our second floor office on Tuesday night, November 4th.

Paloma was a packed house and we were all very elated as we watched McCain giving his concession speech. I remember looking across the dining room and seeing everyone hugging their loved ones, cheering the victory and entranced in the moment that was the brink of American history. And then at that precise second I hear Eli, one of our key crew members, yelling to everyone, "get out…the building’s on fire!" In a split moment our sheer delight became panic and danger.

I immediately ran into the kitchen and walk-in making sure everyone was out. As I ran out of the building, I turned to see our entire second floor engulfed in flames.

We are very fortunate everyone got out safe. Unfortunately, in the rush to evacuate, our pastry chef- the ever talented and completely dynamic- Laura Sawicki, slipped and fell and broke her wrist. She is presently undergoing surgery as I write this.

Another concern is the crew who will be losing out on work, especially our hardest worker and my best friend Kate Obst, who managed the front of the house with grace and endless love. She had an apartment on the second floor of Paloma and lost everything.

 

Our great neighborhood has offered to host a benefit party for Chef Laura, Kate and the rest of the Paloma employees. Details are soon to follow. The benefit will also consist of a silent art auction from Brooklyn's finest street artists.

I would like to thank the wonderful people at Paloma who worked so hard and gave so much of themselves to make every customer's experience great. And to our loyal customers and friends, who have been so supportive during this rough time.

I finally had a moment last night to YouTube Obama's acceptance speech. I too felt, along with every other American, like he was talking directly to me. A time to UNITE and REBUILD, words that had never rung so true for me as I face a new America and look towards re-opening Paloma once again. I am filled with his inspiration.

Thank you,

Camille Becerra