TOPANGA : Fire-Hit Restaurant to Reopen at New Site

When a fire destroyed the Topanga Fish Market in early March last year, it gutted a 10-year landmark establishment in the canyon community. But it barely singed the morale of owner Lance Roberts, who says he will open a new restaurant by the end of September.

He’s calling it Froggy’s, and it will be located in the 68-year-old American Legion Building on Topanga Canyon Boulevard about five miles from Pacific Coast Highway.

The new site, which is only minutes from the former one, is undergoing final touches while the last permits are being sought.

Roberts began refurbishing the building six months ago, putting in a new kitchen and replacing the old plumbing and electrical systems. Staff members from the Fish Market helped with the landscaping and painting.

Outside the restaurant, Roberts will place a new blackboard for his trademark “seafood sayings” that lured customers to the Topanga Fish Market. Among the locals’ favorites were “Shrimply Marvelous” and “As the World Tunas.”

“I’ve been thinking about what saying I’m going to use for my grand opening, but I haven’t come up with anything yet,” said Roberts. “I’m open to suggestions, though.”

Roberts believes that in the long run, the new location will be better because it’s larger and the surroundings are nicer.

“The former site was close to a lumber yard. So visually, the new restaurant will be prettier,” he said. “We will have the same seating occupancy, but the grounds will allow for a larger parking lot.”

While Froggy’s initially will be open for dinner only, Roberts hopes to extend his hours to serve breakfast and lunch. He has already placed two new dinner items on the menu--rotisserie chicken and fried fish and chips.

“We’re already receiving tons of calls from people asking about the menu and when we’re going to open,” said Steve Harris, the restaurant’s manager.

Roberts initially expected to open Froggy’s in July, but has been delayed while waiting for a transfer permit and a beer and wine license.

He is also in the final stages of obtaining a conditional-use permit, which will allow him to serve alcohol only until 9:30 p.m. during the week and 10 p.m. on the weekends.

Opposition was raised during a public hearing in April when members from the local Hillside Steering Committee presented their concerns regarding the consumption of alcohol on the premises and the noise level that may arise.

“They just wanted to voice their opinions and make sure I conform to certain restrictions,” said Roberts. “These are residents who live right next to the new location and they have the right to be concerned. Many of them are my old customers.”

The Fish Market, which was one of only five restaurants in the canyon community at the time of the blaze, was investigated as an arson committed to cover up a burglary, according to the Sheriff’s Department. A rear door had been forced open, and nearby cases of beer, wine bottles and fish were removed from their storage crates.

Police detained a suspect outside the restaurant at the time of the incident, who police found climbing in the bushes. Food and other debris was found in the same vicinity, but no fingerprints were found.

Police released the suspect the next day for lack of evidence. The fire caused more than $150,000 in damages.