FLORAL CITY, Fla. — A beloved Citrus County restaurant burned down Friday night, and the owner says it's a case of arson. 

  • Sleepy Hollow Restaurant damaged by fire
  • Owner thinks customer is to blame after dispute
  • Volunteers at scene Saturday to help in cleanup
  • More Citrus County headlines

The Sleepy Hollow Restaurant in Floral City has been a landmark for years. Owner Bonita Tholund says the business was more than just a place to eat.

"This was our home. It was a family," Tholund said. 

Tholund couldn’t believe her eyes looking at the debris of a place she took over a few years ago.  

"It's been here a long time. It breaks my heart to see it like this," Tholund said.   

She says that the fire is a case of arson, started by a customer who was asked to leave after bringing his dog inside. 

"He got angry. Said he would burn the bar down, and about five minutes later, the bar was on fire," Tholund said. 

There were still customers and staff inside when the fire started Friday night.  No one was hurt. 

"It was scary. It happened so quick," said longtime customer Tracie Behrman, who ran out of the building. 

Sleepy Hollow means so much to the local community that within hours of the fire, dozens of folks came out to see what happened and volunteered to help clean it up. 

"This is trauma," said longtime customer Claudia McAnaugh. "You see everybody that's here really cares about this place. It was just like home."

The owner plans to keep the outside bar open as long as she can and eventually wants to rebuild the whole place. 

The fire is still under investigation. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office on Saturday did not answer requests for comment.