The Rutland community is in mourning as a part of its history went up in flames late Tuesday night, Oct. 6.

The Olympia Greek Taverna was engulfed by a fire, leaving co-owners Mike Koutsantonis and his brother Chris, along with other family members, devastated.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e been in Kelowna for over 50 years, both in downtown and our second location in Rutland. We香蕉视频直播檝e been running this Rutland location since 1973 until today,香蕉视频直播� Mike Koutsantonis told the Capital News on Wednesday morning.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e had to fight through COVID and now this. It香蕉视频直播檚 devastating.

香蕉视频直播淲e have 30 people that are going to be out of work. Thirty staff members who stuck with us through COVID to make things happen and now, they香蕉视频直播檙e out of a job.香蕉视频直播�

He said they want to rebuild and continue the family business, but how or when that will be, it香蕉视频直播檚 still too early to tell.

Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) executive director Karen Beaubier said she and the rest of the board of directors have extended their heartfelt best wishes to the Koutsantonis family.

香蕉视频直播淭he Olympia Greek Taverna was just such a piece of Rutland history for over 45 years and three generations of family running that business,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a terrible, terrible loss for Rutland as a whole.香蕉视频直播�

Beaubier said it香蕉视频直播檚 still too early to determine what URBA can do for the Koutsantonis family, but she said the business organization will stand behind and support the family as best it can.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 sure local businesses will step up too to help them along their journey of rebuilding,香蕉视频直播� Beaubier said.

香蕉视频直播淏ut just in recovering from this incredible loss, we will be there for them. Whatever assistance they need, we will provide.香蕉视频直播�

Koutsantonis said he will miss the people who continually supported them.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檒l miss the great people of Kelowna who supported us for over 50 years. We made a lot of friendships, and a lot of them have become like family.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e seen generations of families growing up. Little kids coming in many years ago and now they香蕉视频直播檝e got kids of their own and they香蕉视频直播檙e bringing them in.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檒l miss that.香蕉视频直播�

He said he would like to thank the people who have visited and supported them throughout the years.

香蕉视频直播淲hen we rebuild and reopen again, we hope that they香蕉视频直播檒l come back and support us again for another 50 years.香蕉视频直播�

The restaurant, located on Highway 33, suffered extensive damage after a fire broke out in the rear portion of the building.

香蕉视频直播淭he fire had spread throughout the restaurant and was very difficult to extinguish,香蕉视频直播� Kelowna fire department platoon Capt. Dennis Miller said in a statement.

Four engines, a command unit, a rescue truck, two ladder trucks and 25 fire personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Miller said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

READ: Kelowna restaurant landmark up in flames