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.

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

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e had to fight through COVID and now this. It害羞草研究所檚 devastating.

害羞草研究所淲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害羞草研究所檙e out of a job.害羞草研究所�

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

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

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a terrible, terrible loss for Rutland as a whole.害羞草研究所�

Beaubier said it害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 sure local businesses will step up too to help them along their journey of rebuilding,害羞草研究所� Beaubier said.

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

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

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒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.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e seen generations of families growing up. Little kids coming in many years ago and now they害羞草研究所檝e got kids of their own and they害羞草研究所檙e bringing them in.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l miss that.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淲hen we rebuild and reopen again, we hope that they害羞草研究所檒l come back and support us again for another 50 years.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淭he fire had spread throughout the restaurant and was very difficult to extinguish,害羞草研究所� 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