Arson investigators have been called to take a closer look following a suspicious fire that destroyed a much-loved Lower Mainland restaurant on Monday night.

Little Billy's Hideaway was one of several businesses destroyed by the fire that swept through a North Burnaby plaza, which was also home to a hair salon and a bottle depot.

A fire Monday night extensively damaged a small plaza in North Burnaby.
(CBC)

The restaurant was owned and operated by the Paskalidis family. The wait staff had been with them for more than 20 years.

Customers booked birthday parties, wedding showers and Christmas celebrations so they could be with the family, who produced legendary pizzas and Greek food.

Irma Paskalidis, who owns the business with her husband Harry, said they're already planning to get the restaurant up and running again.

"Hopefully, it doesn't take too long and we can rebuild it and we can go on. It would be hard for us to even get a job anywhere because I'm 62. Harry just turned 60."

Gail Crocker, who has been waiting tables at Little Billy's since it opened, hopes it will come back soon.

"It might be quite difficult for a couple of us to find jobs because we are mature servers. And if you've been dining out around town, you know all these places have young girls."

The family says the phone has been ringing all day, with customers offering help and moral support.