ESTES PARK, Colorado (CNN) – After a hearty breakfast at a Colorado restaurant, a generous customer left employees a $ 1,400 tip and a message saying “COVID Sucks!”
Notchtop Bakery & Cafe owner Nailya Khametvalieva says the owner, whom she identified only as David, came to his Estes Park restaurant on Wednesday for some eggs, bacon, sausages and biscuits and sauce.
When it came time to pay the $ 20.04 check, David asked his server how many people were working that day.
He ended up leaving the $ 1,400 tip with instructions to give each of the seven employees $ 200.
“It simply came to our notice then [and] chefs – you know, no one ever thinks about chefs – the chefs were so surprised and shocked. We were all shocked, “Khametvalieva said.” I thanked him, but I felt I hadn’t done enough. “
She said David lives in the area, but it was only the second time he was at the restaurant.
Gloria Fuentes waited for David twice when she came and told CNN affiliate KMGH she couldn’t believe it when she saw the bill.
“I was like, ‘God, are you dreaming or what’s going on?’ Fuentes told KMGH.
Another KMGH server discovered that the money would be a great help to her family.
“It’s $ 200 for me, but it’s $ 200 for my husband. It’s also $ 200 for my daughters, for the things I needed to accomplish,” said Jayme Johnson.
Khametvalieva has never closed the restaurant he has run for nearly 10 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but said business has been tough. Last year’s fires also added to the challenge.
She said she was able to give classes to all her employees and also received a PPP loan.
Estes Park is about 70 miles outside of Denver, and Khametvalieva says it has a lot of business from tourists outside the state during the summer.
She said many of these customers bought gift cards to support the restaurant because they could not come in person.
“I wanted to thank everyone who really feels for small businesses and the people were so grateful, kind and kind. They have a big heart, especially David,” she said.
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