In North Miami Beach, a cafe and juice bar started the new year in shock after a customer left a $2,021 tip.
Kelly Amar and her family has been operating Miami Squeeze for the last year and a half, and the tip meant the world to them, she told CNN.
The generous customer came into the cafe on Friday and her bill was for $71.84. The tip amount she wrote computes to a 2,814% tip.
“It was a regular customer who comes in once or twice a week, and this was nothing we were expecting,” Amar said. “When we first got the bill, we thought it was $20.21.”
Amar added when employees realized it was for $2,021, they went back to the customer to clarify if she meant to leave such a big tip.
“We went back to her and asked, ‘Are you sure?’ and she said, ‘Yes, of course, I’m so grateful for you guys and I want to give back … I want to start the new year out right and give this to you guys,'” she said.
The $2,021 will be distributed equally to the restaurant’s 25 staff members as a gift. The owners also shared their gratitude by posting a picture of the receipt on the Miami Squeeze’s Instagram account.
“We can’t even begin to express how thankful and humbled we are for our amazing customers who have kept us in business,” the Instagram post reads. “Even though we are just a small juice bar we really pride ourselves in taking care of our guest, we’re not just in the food business we’re in the people business.”
Amar, who handles marketing for the business, said she and the employees are very grateful because when the pandemic hit, the 30-year-old business had to let much of the staff go and it was just the family working to fulfill orders.
“2020 is over and 2021 is off to a good start so far!” Amar said.
Business at the restaurant is almost back to pre-pandemic levels and the family is planning to open a new location soon.