Rebuilding Altadena
One Macaron at a time…
Help us Build Kat’s Macaron Café
Everything changed on January 7, 2025.
Altadena is a unique place. It is tucked away in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains on the edge of Los Angeles, where residents can enjoy baseball games at the local parks as well as the rugged hiking trails in the national forest. Where black bears, peacocks and bobcats roam and are welcomed by the neighbors. Where families new to the area can meet those who have been here for multi-generations. It is a place where artists, musicians, and even a few famous actors, can pick up fresh produce at the local farmers’ market or enjoy a concert in the park on a summer evening. It is a place where neighbors look out for neighbors, always offering help, even if they don't know each other. It has a history of being one of the first places where newly freed slaves could purchase a home and build a family. It is a special place. Which is why, on January 7, 2025, the Eaton fire destroyed so much more than the buildings housed within.
Altadena needs a place to gather, to connect, and to heal.
My name is Kat, AKA the “Altadena Macaron Lady”. I have lived in Altadena, CA for almost 13 years. In 2022, I started “Kat’s Macarons & Stuff”, a home-based baking business specializing in designer French macarons and other confectionary items, such as marshmallows, caramels, and pralines. Everything I sell must be unique. It must be an interesting flavor combination or design. It must have a “wow” factor and be different from almost anything else on the market.
My goal is to transition the business from a home-based operation to a brick-and-mortar Macaron Café. The Café is planned to specialize in authentic French macarons, both sweet and savory, along with confectionary items, in a contemporary yet bohemian/artist style setting, with references to New Orleans and Louisiana, which is my heritage.
The café aims to provide a vibrant space where the community can gather, heal, and reconnect as we rebuild. We'll foster connection with locally sourced coffees and other ingredients, provide an artist's corner for local talent, and cultivate a haven of shared experiences. This isn't just about delicious treats; it's about rebuilding our social fabric, fostering resilience, and celebrating our shared future, one macaron at a time.
Picture a café where the romantic charm of shabby chic, the free-spiritedness of bohemian, and the vibrant, historic allure of New Orleans intertwine.
Given the urgent need for a communal space as Altadena rebuilds from the devastation of Eaton fire, my goal is to open the café by the end of 2026.
