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Coachella Valley restaurants to hire Bernie’s Supper Club workers after fire

When Xitlali Acosta got to work Christmas Day, she was devastated to see her livelihood go up in smoke. Once known as Davey’s Hideaway, flames ripped through Bernie’s Lounge and Supper Club in Palm Springs Christmas Day.

“It was like my second home, so it was kind of sad. The building was burning,” Acosta said.

The restaurant opened its doors on Palm Canyon exactly one year ago on Dec. 29, but Monday there was no celebration. The doors were boarded up. The inside was gutted and the smell of charred wood still lingered throughout the building.

Bernie’s co-owner, Geoff McIntosh, told us on the day of the fire that he plans to rebuild.

“We’ll be back. I don’t know how long it’ll take, but we’ll be back and it’ll be better,” McIntosh said.

However, until the supper club is up and running again, its 27 employees are without jobs, that’s why other Coachella Valley restaurants are stepping in to give them a place to work.

The Slice Pizzeria and Maracas Cantina in Rancho Mirage, JT’s Diner in Palm Desert and Riccio’s Steak and Seafood in Palm Springs are hiring Bernie’s employees. They’re looking for bartenders, cooks, dishwashers and more.

“Most businesses are already geared up for season. It’s hard for these people to walk up, one day they have a job, next day they don’t have a job for they don’t know how long,” said Jack Srebnick, owner of the Slice, Maracas and JT’s Diner. “It’s important for us to stick together and help each other in time of need.”

We were there when Acosta, a single mom, went in for a job interview at the Slice and Maracas. She was hired at both to help maintain a 40-hour work week.

Acosta’s now looking forward to ringing in the new year.

“I’m excited I have a job,” Acosta said.

She hopes her former co-workers will have the same opportunity.

For more information, contact the individual restaurants.

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