Inside George’s Junior Store grand reopening

Our youth journalist reports again on how the community is recovering after the Eaton Fire in Altadena.

The grand reopening of George’s Junior Store in Altadena on September 14, 2026, was more than just food and ice cream. Visitors, many of them local, said it felt like a “spark of hope,” while others said it showed Altadena can still thrive.

Built in the 1960s, George’s was originally founded by George Szkiba, who owned multiple properties in West Altadena on Lincoln Avenue. Current owner Sunny Singh said they didn’t change the corner store’s name because George Szkiba was an Altadena pioneer. Singh’s family bought George’s and updated it over several decades. They also remodeled it during the 19 months they were closed after the Eaton Fire.

George’s Junior Store is located on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Altadena Drive. Some houses in the close vicinity burned down. Still, George’s Junior Store and the rest of the mini mall (Unincorporated Coffee, Lucy’s Place, and Altadena Cookie Co.) and surrounding buildings (Odyssey Schools and most recently Altadena Music Theatre) survived.

Singh mentioned that on the night of the fires: “I was out there with a fire extinguisher,” trying to protect buildings in the area. Though it took Singh and his family more than 19 months to reopen, they did so because they believe the community is important.

As someone who grew up in Altadena, Singh decided the town deserved a “cool place” that families could come to safely. Visitors at the Grand Reopening echoed his words, saying it was a chance for fire survivors to show resilience, “strength and unity.” To Singh, George’s Junior Store is also a “staple for the community” since it has been around for so long.

With more than a hundred people attending, this certainly was a thriving celebration. People lined up at an Indian food buffet with curries, naan, and rice. A big ice cream truck was there. There was music. Tents provided shade, and raffle tickets were available. The whole event took place in front of a brand new big mural by Austin Scott, who also made other murals in Altadena. The mural features Altadena wildlife, including bears and deer. One older gentleman interviewed said the store’s reopening “means a lot” and is “good for the economy on the hill.”

The newly opened George’s has a lot of diverse items. When you walk in you see a small freezer with ice cream and other sweet treats inside. On the shelves along the front wall, you will find an assortment of chips, including unexpected brands and flavors like tortilla chips and even Keya’s Indian Snacks, classic potato chips with an Indian touch. A wall fridge holds cold drinks and small everyday needs such as toothpaste, milk, cleaning products, eggs, and more. Lastly, big floor-to-ceiling shelving holds different types of alcohol.

George’s Junior Store’s reopening felt like a big milestone in our recovery from last year’s devastating Eaton Fire. Seeing a store reopen and feeling the community come together reminds us that Altadena is still here.