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.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e been in Kelowna for over 50 years, both in downtown and our second location in Rutland. We含羞草研究社檝e been running this Rutland location since 1973 until today,含羞草研究社� Mike Koutsantonis told the Capital News on Wednesday morning.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e had to fight through COVID and now this. It含羞草研究社檚 devastating.

含羞草研究社淲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含羞草研究社檙e out of a job.含羞草研究社�

He said they want to rebuild and continue the family business, but how or when that will be, it含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淭he Olympia Greek Taverna was just such a piece of Rutland history for over 45 years and three generations of family running that business,含羞草研究社� she said.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a terrible, terrible loss for Rutland as a whole.含羞草研究社�

Beaubier said it含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 sure local businesses will step up too to help them along their journey of rebuilding,含羞草研究社� Beaubier said.

含羞草研究社淏ut just in recovering from this incredible loss, we will be there for them. Whatever assistance they need, we will provide.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒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.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e seen generations of families growing up. Little kids coming in many years ago and now they含羞草研究社檝e got kids of their own and they含羞草研究社檙e bringing them in.

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒l miss that.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淲hen we rebuild and reopen again, we hope that they含羞草研究社檒l come back and support us again for another 50 years.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淭he fire had spread throughout the restaurant and was very difficult to extinguish,含羞草研究社� 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