Altadena Hardware Faces Destruction After Wildfire and Santa Ana Winds

Brick wall of historic hardware store collapses as community grapples with recovery efforts.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Altadena Hardware, a 90-year-old family-owned hardware store, has faced a series of devastating blows. First, the Eaton Fire tore through the town in January 2025, burning down the store. Now, strong Santa Ana winds have knocked down a portion of what remained of the building, adding further damage to the already struggling business.

Why it matters

Altadena Hardware was a beloved community institution, serving the town for over nine decades. Its destruction is a major loss for the area, which is still recovering from the Eaton Fire. The collapse of the remaining structure is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses trying to rebuild after natural disasters.

The details

Around 8 p.m. on Saturday, a portion of the exterior brick wall of Altadena Hardware collapsed, scattering bricks across the street. Neighboring business owner Debbie Collins witnessed the incident and said firefighters had warned her to move her car before more of the building came down. The wall collapse damaged some parked cars in the area.

  • In January 2025, the Eaton Fire burned down the Altadena Hardware store.
  • On Saturday, March 8, 2026, strong Santa Ana winds knocked down a portion of the remaining structure.

The players

Altadena Hardware

A 90-year-old family-owned hardware store that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025 and has now faced further damage from Santa Ana winds.

Debbie Collins

The owner of the neighboring business, Ms. Dragon Print & Copy, who witnessed the collapse of the Altadena Hardware wall and had to move her car due to the danger.

Jim Orlandini

The owner of Altadena Hardware, whose sons battled the flames threatening the family's three Altadena homes during the Eaton Fire.

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What they’re saying

“The bricks were halfway across the street here. I know they are in here today to knock this historic building down. Everybody knows Altadena Hardware here.”

— Debbie Collins, Neighboring business owner (CBS News)

“It was like a firestorm, and the street was burning on both sides. The first thing I thought to myself, I have to tell my two boys that the hardware store they built up and put their whole life into is gone.”

— Jim Orlandini, Altadena Hardware owner (CBS News)

What’s next

The family plans to continue their efforts to rebuild Altadena Hardware, but the latest setback from the Santa Ana winds will likely delay those plans further.

The takeaway

The destruction of Altadena Hardware, a beloved community institution, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses trying to recover from natural disasters. The collapse of the remaining structure is a stark reminder of the fragility of these businesses and the importance of supporting them during times of crisis.