Tadeh Ghazalian began his day on Thursday, scrolling through Instagram. There, he stumbled upon a video featuring a broken water main gushing water onto the street, directly by his restaurant, Dialog Cafe. His phone was flooded with unread messages and voicemails from friends, family, and staff concerned about the cafe. Located on a busy Sunset Strip corner, Dialog Cafe faced a massive sinkhole.
“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; at one point, you couldn’t even see the floor.”
Early Thursday morning, a century-old pipe burst, releasing 17 million gallons of water across West Hollywood. The flooding impacted businesses, homes, and garages, with damages still being calculated. The major rupture resulted in a sinkhole at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive, leading to road closures hampering area businesses.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power teams are installing a replacement pipe, hoping to fully reopen the streets by Monday. However, some businesses predict months before resuming operations. Dialog Cafe, a neighborhood fixture since 2007, is one such business.
Founded by Armenian immigrants Rafik and Kenar Ghazalian, the cafe was transformed from an internet cafe into a European-style eatery. Tadeh Ghazalian, passionate about third-wave coffee, took over the business with his brother following their father’s passing. Before the flood, Dialog Cafe was bustling with patrons.
Recently, in late 2024, the family opened another Dialog Cafe in Sawtelle, securing a presence at 1835 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Upon arriving at West Hollywood at 7 a.m. Thursday, Ghazalian believed clearing the mud and water would be sufficient. But the basement, housing bathrooms and storage, was submerged. The floors need replacement, and the walls are wrecked.
The warped back door couldn’t close, forcing Ghazalian to secure the cafe using drilled plywood. The sidewalk’s flooring was washed away, while gas and electricity were restored late on Thursday. On Friday, they offered free coffee and pastries to repair crews.
Regular customers continue seeking their breakfast burritos and lattes, making the closure distressing for Ghazalian. Yet, the support has been heartwarming. “I’m really touched by how important this is for people. Our family’s really grateful for how much support we’ve had,” he said.
Customers and fellow businesses have offered equipment, like refrigerators and kitchen spaces. Ghazalian noted lighthearted comments that lifted spirits, including a fan’s humorous statement on Instagram and hundreds of messages of support.
Considering temporary relocation, Ghazalian initiated a GoFundMe on Friday to assist with staff salaries, repairs, and potentially a temporary setup. He expressed eagerness to resume operation despite the challenges.
Mel’s Drive-In, just half a mile east, witnessed a sales drop owing to road closures. Some roads reopened Friday, but business remained slow. “I think people are avoiding the area,” said co-owner Colton Weiss, noting the broader impact on businesses.
Even unaffected enterprises face fallout from the flooding, highlighting the commercial disruption in West Hollywood.