Owner's Family, Friends Step In To Help Reopen Restaurant
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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) -- Just outside of a restaurant, shutdown after a fire, family and friends of the 23-year old restaurant owner sold food to help raise money to reopen the venue.
Shorty's Cafeteria in Miami Gardens was shutdown after an arsonist threw two Molotov cocktails, setting the place on fire on Christmas Eve morning, according to Miami-Dade fire investigators.
"She did not have insurance…the damage inside is quite big," said Ana Mejia, the grandmother of the owner.
On Saturday afternoon, the family held a fundraiser in the restaurant parking lot, selling dishes of Peruvian cuisine, Bahamian cuisine and paella.
Some friends and clientele had even paid for their dishes before-hand, according to Mejia.
All this as police search for the arsonist responsible.
Investigators said someone put cloth into two Budweiser beer bottles, filled them with flammable liquid and set the place on fire.
They believe the fire was possibly started in retaliation for being kicked off the property hours earlier.
Mejia said her granddaughter, who just had a baby a week ago, invested $30,000 into the restaurant. The entire family put their time and hard work into getting the place up and running five months ago.
"At age 16 she graduated from high school and she had two jobs to save her money to have something, to do something," said Mejia.
Though this arson was devastating, the family is grateful for the help and determined to open again. Friends, customers, and even strangers have reached out offering support.
"We've had an air conditioning company that wishes to work inside free of charge. An electrician has also offered his help free of charge. We've had so many calls that we're just eager to have the police tell us 'okay you know. It's good. Now you can go in and do what you have to do,'" said Mejia. "We'll open real quick. I'm sure with all the help."
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers (305) 471-TIPS.
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