Jaimie Geller, owner of Jaimie Geller Jewelry with her husband Michael, has lived in the Palisades for 30 years but recently lost her home and business to the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the L.A. area.
The family was forced to evacuate their house on January 7, as the fire approached, leaving them with little time to gather essential belongings. Jaimie’s husband, Michael, initially resisted leaving, but she convinced him to leave, and they all made a frantic escape. However, when Jaimie started driving down the hill from their house, she hit gridlock traffic and was unable to get in touch with her husband.
As the fire raged on, Jaimie and one of her sons took shelter at Gladstone’s Restaurant, while she tried to connect with her husband. Police eventually escorted them to safety, but not before their youngest son, 10, was separated from them and later reunited after being picked up by in-laws.
Jaimie is still trying to come to terms with the loss of her home and business. She watched as her store burned down on the news, along with other businesses and homes in the area. The experience has left her feeling disoriented, but she’s determined to find a way to salvage what’s left.
Despite the devastating losses, Jaimie is grateful for the community’s response, including donations from friends and neighbors who are helping her employees stay afloat during this difficult time. She acknowledges that the road ahead will be challenging, but for now, her priority is finding a new home and getting her sons back in school.
The wildfires have burned thousands of structures in just a few days, leaving many residents without homes or businesses. Jaimie’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of these disasters and the resilience required to rebuild and recover.
Source: https://people.com/jeweler-jaimie-geller-watched-store-burn-down-news-after-house-destroyed-palisades-fire-exclusive-8773481