Generous Samaritan Orders One Beer, Leaves $3,000 Tip At Cleveland Restaurant

Businesses that normally operate practically daily are dwindling and along with that comes the fact the financial struggles of owners and employees. The pandemic has altered the course of usual business operations and all establishments can do is hope for blessings or miracles.

Over in Ohio, the owner of the Nighttown in Cleveland Heights got the surprise of his life when a customer came in to order a single beer and leave a big tip.

Brendan Ring narrated how the customer came in during brunch on Sunday, the last day before the business was due to close for a second time due to the coronavirus. He ordered a Stella Artois beer.

It would initially appear that the customer may have made a mistake. He was unlikely drunk considering he only had one beer.

Ring initially thought that the customer had left a $300 tip. But when he put on his glasses, it was only then that he realized that it was $3,000. Ring was told to split the tip among the staff, Fox 8 News reported.

“I looked down at the check, but I didn’t have my glasses on. I said, ‘Holy oh my, he just left a $300 tip.’ Then I put my glasses on and it hit my eyes. ‘What the-!’ It was $3,000. I ran out the door after him. I said, ‘What were you thinking?’ He said, ‘No, I meant it. Make sure, enjoy, Merry Christmas, we’ll see you when you reopen.’ "

This comes not long after the restaurant announced it was voluntary closing earlier this month. Normally, the establishment operated 364 days a year, closing only during Christmas.

The man, whose identity remains unknown, ordered a beer worth $7. Ring shared a photo of the receipt on social media.

The big tip should come in handy, especially for his employees who will be not earning for the next six to eight weeks. The decision to close was a preventive measure for the safety of his staff and customers who may come in.

"I have to consider my staff, right?" Ring said to WOIO-TV. "In the last two weeks, this COVID has gotten very, very close to all of us and I've had four customers, really close customers, get it."

According to Cleveland.com, some servers started crying when they learned about the timely financial aid. Four servers received $750 each, a farewell before filing for unemployment according to Ring.

“Everyone is looking to grasp onto something that gives us hope these days, and this is a bright shining-star moment,” Ring said.