A fire recently caused extensive damage to a restaurant whose owner brought well-wishers from all over Los Angeles together with immigrants from Haiti to raise thousands of dollars for relief in their earthquake-devastated homeland.
The fire tore through TiGeorges' Chicken in the Echo Park district northwest of Downtown Los Angeles on February. An electrical problem apparently caused the blaze, which resulted in an estimated $50,000 in damage to the restaurant and a next-door art gallery.
George LaGuerre, the owner of the restaurant and a leader of the Haitian-American community in Southern California, said that the fire led him to cancel plans to travel to his homeland. Laguerre said he hopes to re-open the restaurant as soon as possible.
LaGuerre grew up with 10 brothers and sisters in Port-de-Paix, Haiti. He emigrated to the U.S. nearly 40 years ago, and opened TiGeorges' Chicken eight years ago.
Various events at TiGeorges' helped raise more than $14,000 within days of the quake, according to LaGuerre, who said the funds would go to Yele Haiti, a foundation founded by musician and rap artist Wyclef Jean.
Related articles:
• Local Haitian Community in Gear
• Haitian Emigrés in L.A. Hope to Help Homeland
Photo by Sheannette Virtue, Carib Press.
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