A Melbourne cafe owner received an unexpected cash injection thanks to the generosity of two customers.
Owner Pierre Patole opened The Timbuktu Cafe just four months before COVID-19 forced the closure of Australian venues.
The past few weeks have been a challenge for venue owners across the country, but Patole was “lost for words” after finding an envelope with $750 cash under the cafe’s door.
The money was accompanied by a note from the anonymous donors, who said they had no need for a $750 cash payment they received from the government.
“Because we have an income of less than $80,000/year we qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors healthcare card and as such have just received $750 each from the Govt,” reads the letter, which Patole posted on Facebook.
“We pay no tax as our income is from superannuation pension. The government says the $750 is for us to spend to help the economy.
“I need nothing that I can think of to spend it on and have through that I would like to donate it to your business Pierre – you are certainly part of the economy and we very much admire your efforts to create a wonderful new family focused business. Plus your ever smiling welcome despite these hard times – it helps us all.”
Patole told News.com.au he was moved by the gesture and how welcoming the local community had been since he opened the cafe.
“I was very touched, not only for the amount of money but also by the beautiful letter,” he said.
“As all cafes, we are doing take away only for both food and beverage, so we are roughly down 60 to 50% less takings.”