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Community Helps Restaurant Owners As Arsonist Search Continues

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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) - The family that lost their restaurant to arson is now vowing to reopen again—and they've been getting some help from the community to do so.

Shorty's Cafeteria in Miami Gardens is locked up tight, frozen in time.

CLICK HERE To Watch Natalia Zea's Report 

A Miami-Dade fire investigator said an arsonist threw two Molotov cocktails through the front window of the restaurant Christmas Eve morning. According to the investigator, someone put cloth into two Budweiser beer bottles, filled them with flammable liquid and set the place on fire.

The fire was possibly started in retaliation for being kicked off the property hours earlier.

READ: Miami Gardens Restaurant Destroyed In Fire

The family restaurant is now charred black, the appliances have melted, and dreams are dashed.

Ana Mejia said her granddaughter, who just had a baby, invested $30,000 into the restaurant.

The entire family put their time and hard work into getting it up and running five months ago.

"Worked day and night, she had two jobs, to open up some kind of business for her future," Mejia told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

But just like that it was all gone.

Days later the family is waiting for the arson investigation to be complete so they can rebuild. They're getting some help.

Friends, customers, and even strangers have reached out offering support, Mejia said.

"We've had a lot of phone calls...it's on Facebook, Twitter, a lot of help, supportive people," said Mejia.

Though this arson was devastating, the family is grateful for the help and determined to open again

"It's a nice feeling to know my family, my kids are loved...it's going to take a little bit of time, but I know we're gonna get back on our feet."

The family is holding a barbeque fundraiser in the restaurant parking lot at 4114 NW 167th Street in Miami Gardens Saturday afternoon.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers (305) 471-TIPS.

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