A small business owner has become inundated with customers after a Facebook post went viral.
Antonio Monica broke a passerby's heart when she saw him stood at his coffee stall, Caffetteria Dantonio, "looking lost" with no customers, on Saturday, March 25.
However, after the woman, known on Facebook as Sugar Smith, wrote a post that "went viral" he has since been inundated with customers.
READ MORE: Woman's Facebook plea for 'Scouse Italian' struggling to compete with Costa
So much so, he even had to call in his wife to help him serve his long queue of customers in the Metquarter on Friday.
Antonio said: "It has been really busy. If [Sugar Smith] they come here I want to make them a coffee and thank them.
"Just thank you, thank you so much.
"The people of Liverpool have been so kind."
Meanwhile the Baristas’ wife, Joanne, added: “I had to come to help Anontio, it was that busy. Thank you so much.
"I showed our son the article, he loved it."
Following a story by the Liverpool ECHO and after the post on Facebook the people of Liverpool have been flocking to Antonio's stall, which he has had since 2005.
Paul Paterson wrote on Facebook: “My favourite coffee shop I've been going to for years. Tony is one of the great guys that people mention in life.
"Full of humour and banter, if you're in town it's always worth a visit.”
Another keen customer Claire Anne Townson Cowen said on Facebook: “Visited here yesterday. Such a lovely gent, couldn't do enough for his customers.
"Such a good cup of coffee too.”
Li-Anne MetCalfe added: “Think this guy should start an appointment book, might need to stock up on the beans! I’m heading there for a decent brew."
And Ian Andrews said: "Best coffee in Liverpool. Whenever my friends from Milan are over, we always go there, great guy."
Stacey Bombacy McDonald added: “What a humble gentleman he is. He will probably need to employ another member of staff after going viral. I can not wait to try his coffee when I next go into town.”
Antonio previously told the ECHO how he has been struggling to compete against bigger chains such as Costa, which is opposite his stall.
The dad, who has an 11-year-old son said: “I started running a business in 2005 but during COVID it was stressful. I had to close and really didn't know what to do. After lockdown I reopened and I am grateful that I could.
"Since COVID it is not as busy as it used to be. Some days are quiet some days are busier but it just depends on the day. After 1pm it is quiet and I don't get many customers.
"But I am grateful to those who regularly come. They have really helped and supported me and without them I would not still be here.”
He also said how much he loves his job and
He told The ECHO: "I am the only one who works here and some days I can work 10 hours, some days 12, as I have to clean [the stand] and get ready for opening. I cannot afford to have two people working, but I don't mind as I like to be the one who gives my customers their coffee.
"My customers are always nice and patient.
"Where I am my customers follow.
“My customers are like my family and part of my coffee shop. When one of my customers was shivering and not well I brought a blanket for her.
"I have regulars, some who come twice a day, I consider them my family and they keep my business going.”
“It is not stressful when you enjoy your job. I love to see my customers happy and the smile on their face when I give them a coffee.
"People think it's bad working for customers but it is not.
"I love my job and the day I retire is the day my shop will close."
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