Restaurants are among the hardest hit businesses by the coronavirus closures, with thousands of restaurant workers facing indefinite unemployment. Some restaurants are easing the burden on workers by paying them during the closure, but most staff wages are going to suffer a major blow. A regular customer at one Ohio restaurant strove to alleviate some of its staff’s financial stress on Sunday, by leaving a $2,500 tip. Just before the customer made this generous gesture, the governor had announced that all restaurants would be closed until further notice.
Photo: OnCoaches/Twitter
Customer Leaves $2,500 Tip at This Ohio Bar Before Its Closure Due to the Coronavirus
Coaches Bar and Grill in Columbus, Ohio, uploaded a photo of the $29.75 tab to Twitter, with the caption, “When the going gets tough, the tough stay loyal. This loyal, amazing patron of Coaches on Bethel left the staff a $2500 tip to help lighten the losses during this required closing of Restaurants & Bars in Ohio.”
When the going gets tough, the tough stay loyal. This loyal, amazing patron of Coaches on Bethel left the staff a $2500 tip to help lighten the losses during this required closing of Restaurants & Bars in Ohio. @OnCoaches @nbc4i @GovMikeDeWine @wsyx6 @DinoTrip @10TVBot pic.twitter.com/scTpMJo0N1
— Coaches on Bethel (@OnCoaches) March 16, 2020
On the receipt, the customer asked that the tip be shared between four workers identified by name, though those workers requested that it be split between all 13 restaurant employees.
The customer wished to remain anonymous, even though restaurant owner Benny Leonard tried to give him credit.
“It changed things on a bad day,” said Leonard to NBC News. “Sunday was one of the wildest days since I’ve been open. I’ve been through a lot, but nothing like this.” 