Los Angeles love! Moonshadows proprietor JD Slajchert sat down with ET to share how the California neighborhood has come collectively to assist his household’s restaurant in Malibu, California after dropping it to the wildfires in Jan. 2025.
The eatery, visited by Britney Spears, LeAnn Rimes, Lupita Nyong’o, Kim Kardashian, and extra, was a go-to spot for well-known faces and past.
“What made Moonshadows so unique was that at one table you could have some of the most notable A-list celebrities, and at the table beside them, there could be a normal family out to celebrate a birthday. It was an authentic melting pot. I think that was something that both celebrities and regular patrons alike enjoyed,” he defined.
And the outpouring love and assist the previous Division I athlete has acquired since is a testomony to only that.
“Thousands of people from all over the world have reached out, often sharing their favorite photos and memories from the restaurant. It has been so touching and immensely helpful for my family and I as we navigate this difficult situation to be able to tangibly feel that reminder about how impactful Moonshadows was,” he continued.
Along with receiving heartfelt messages, the novelist began a GoFundMe for the restaurant employees, which raised over $100,000, and so they have been in a position to serve a few of their hottest dishes at their sister spot, The Sundown.
“My hope is that we will continue to stick together and remain resilient. … It will be hard, and it will take time, but I’m confident in our community to bounce back. I believe in L.A.,” he shared.
Whereas the screenwriter has confronted his personal hardships not too long ago, it hasn’t prevented him from serving to others, together with these struggling with Sickle Cell Illness after dropping his buddy and UCSB basketball fan, Luc Bodden, to the well being situation.
“I believe that giving back is the most important thing we do. … I credit this simple lesson in humility to my best friend, Luc. … Luc taught me that even if it’s something small, we have to always be looking out for others,” the motivational speaker noted.
in 2017, Slajchert even launched The LucStrong Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the family and children diagnosed with the blood disorder, and in 2018, he wrote MoonFlower, a best-selling novel about their bond, both of which constantly inspire him.
“Luc was legendary, and I do know he might tackle any problem thrown his approach, however it’s as of late that I really feel his legendary power increasingly, and since he’s now not right here with us, I really feel an ideal duty to hold his message ahead to a neighborhood that’s significantly in want of his inspiration proper now,” he said ahead of what would have been Bodden’s 19th birthday on May 12.
“Stand tall, love one another, and keep in mind that you’re not alone and that we’ll get via this. Brighter days are forward, I promise,” he added.
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