(WSBT) Police are investigating a grocery store fire in Elkhart as possible arson.

The Amezquita family moved to Elkhart decades ago to pursue the American Dream, but around 3 a.m. Thursday morning, that dream went up in smoke.

“I saw the burning, and that just took my heart away, because I know it's a little business, and I know that’s probably their life,” said April Davidson.

Investigators say the Tres Mil Pas grocery store was robbed, and then set on fire, destroying everything inside and causing more than $100,000 in damage.

Tres Mil Pas is located on Main Street. Nearby businesses say drugs, prostitution and robberies are a part of the street's daily routine.

“It’s like a wild west show here after midnight in this neighborhood,” Rex Freshour told WSBT News.

Businesses want police to crack down on crime, or else they say the Elkhart street may soon be empty.

“They'll just all move to a different part of town, and this will just turn into a big ghetto,” said Freshour.

Customers of the grocery store say it's sad that something positive for the people has turned so negative.

"It was really nice because a lot of people who live in Washington Gardens don’t have cars, so if we needed bread or milk or something like that, some food, we could easily walk here and get it,” Davidson explained.

The Amezquita family says it hurts to see all their hard work disappear in just minutes. It's unlikely they will rebuild — something customers say is tragic.

“It's just sad, the whole thing, it's just really, really sad,” Davidson said.

Investigators say someone broke into the building through a window in an adjoining business, and then broke through the wall into Tres Mil Pas. According to police, they stole silver belt buckles, cold medicine, and cigarettes.