Deja Vu Cafe to rebuild following fire in Isla Vista

Deja Vu Cafe, a long-standing restaurant in Isla Vista that has operated for nearly 40 years, plans to rebuild following a fire on August 18. The owner and founder, John Djamali, stated that an electrical issue is believed to have sparked the fire, which ignited a wall.

While no injuries were reported, the establishment sustained significant smoke damage and damage to the roof during the firefighting process. Djamali noted that repairs will require replacing walls, floors, and ceilings.

The owner expressed a desire to restore the cafe and hopes to reopen by UC Santa Barbara’s alumni weekend in October. Insurance and county inspections are expected to proceed in the coming week to determine the full extent of the restoration process.