NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police believe the same robbers who have been targeting movie rental stores also robbed a restaurant in east Nashville on Wednesday night.

Video: East Nashville Bar Reopens After Robbery

Seven customers and the staff at Family Wash eatery were robbed at gunpoint.

Police believe when the robbers couldn't get into the safe at a nearby Hollywood video store, they stopped at the next closest target with the lights still on.

"I worry what happens to the (future of the) business if everyone panics about this and thinks this is a normal occurrence, which it's not," said customer Andrew Duthie.

"Nothing like this has ever happened there," said Family Wash owner Jamie Rubin.

Rubin was worried that the crime could affect business, but then his phone started ringing.

"I've gotten calls all day long saying, 'Hey man, we're rallying the troops and coming in for a big pie fest,'" said Rubin.

To support the business, the restaurant will open at 6 p.m. Thursday to serve its famous Shepherd's pie.

"It really shows what kind of community we all live in where you have that kind of loyalty and support," said Rubin.

Police and victims of the robbery describe the thieves as two young men likely in their teens or early 20s.

This crime comes as east Nashville has seen a decline in robberies.

Stats show that thefts at businesses are down 50 percent from this same time last year. Street robberies are also down 19 percent.