PETOSKEY, Mich. – A tough year for restaurants ended in a remarkable way for a server in northern Michigan.
Becky Beer was working at J.W. Filmore’s restaurant in Petoskey when a customer with a $44 order left a tip of $2,021. The Petoskey News-Review reported that the tip came from a couple who wanted to remain anonymous.
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Written on the receipt Tuesday were the words: "JBN Tip Challenge, Just Be Nice, 2021 Happy New Year.”
Beer, who has worked at the restaurant for 10 years, doesn't know why she was singled out for the tip during a pandemic that has devastated restaurants across the country. Since November, Michigan bars and restaurants again have been limited to outdoor dining or carry-out orders.
“I feel almost guilty," Beer said. "I was asking myself, ‘Why me, why did this happen?’ because there’s so many people that need it."
After paying bills, she said she will follow the advice to “be nice” written on the receipt by putting a portion of the tip into a family foundation that was established after her uncle died.