COLUMBUS (WCMH) — They call themselves ‘family,’ and on Sunday evening they reunited for the first time, since Thursday.

Staff and close friends of the Nazareth Mediterranean Cuisine came together for a short prayer and dinner, to begin their healing process.

The gathering was not focused on Thursday’s violent attack, instead the focus was on moving forward.

“I was happy Hany [Baransi] was able to work again,” said Christian Rogers, a member of the kitchen staff. “He’s so happy and he wants everyone to feel good again.”

Baransi said plans to reopen his restaurant, on Monday, remain in place.

“It’s not going to be a mourning place,” said Baransi. “There were a lot of emotions and stuff. I wanted to feel that, but at the same time I wanted to get over it, move on and stuff like that.”

Baransi said he has hired extra help for Monday, in anticipation of a large crowd.

His employees said Sunday’s dinner was the perfect first step, in moving forward.

“It was all about us being one and coming together as a family, showing everyone that we’re not afraid of what happened,” said Rogers. “We’re not going to let it change us.”

Nazareth Mediterranean Cuisine will open with a limited menu, at 11:00 a.m., on Monday.