A small business owner wants to thank a customer after a post about him on Facebook went viral.
Antonio Monica has been the owner of Caffetteria Dantonio, which is situated in a stand in the Metquarter, since 2005. However, despite a true love for his job the dad said it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete with the bigger coffee chains.
On Saturday a post on Facebook was shared by Sugar Smith imploring people to go to Antonio's stall after he was stood there with no customers. The post, which has now had nearly 5,000 shares and hundreds of comments reads: "If your'e going for coffee in town today call into the Metquater.
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"There is a older gentleman who has a small independent coffee stall in the center, he doesn't have logos....well not that I could see without my glasses. I was heading to Costa were it was booming and he was stood there looking lost behind his counter with no customers.
"I know what that feels like and it's horrible. I had to buy a coffee and sandwich off him. He couldn't do enough...The homemade Italian bread and coffee was lovely ...I wanted to go outside and bring in people to help him.
"It's hard competing for business nowadays there is alot of competition especially when Costa is facing you. Before I left he shouted ciao bella girl...scouse Italian.
"Please support small business. It's nice to be nice."
Following the post Antonio said he wants to thank the customer and "offer her a free coffee" after what has been a hard time for his business.
Barista Antonio 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.”
In the Metquater Antonio, who has a young son, can stand for 12 hours serving customers but despite sometimes not getting a lot of footfall he always keeps a smile on his face. Originally from Milan he said his customers are what keep him going and said they are like "his family".
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.”
Working alone may seem difficult but Antonio shows that he is not challenged by this and takes it all in his stride.
He said: “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. I teach people but they do not have the same passion as me. 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”
Antonio said he has had a passion for coffee for "forever" - a passion he takes home to his 11-year-old son.
He said: “I have been doing coffee forever. My little boy, he is now 11 and he makes and drinks coffee with me at home. He is especially good at drinking it.”
Antonio said it is always going to be challenging competing with a big chain and where he is situated in the Metquarter is directly opposite Costa Coffee, a daily and stark reminder of those struggles.
But, despite this and a rise in rent due to the current climate, he is so thankful to his loyal customers.
The dad said: “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.”
In regards to future plans Antonio said he is happy with staying as a small independent business and doesn't want to be greedy.
He said: "I live in a flat but would love to live in a house but I cannot afford it. I don't like greediness.
"What are you meant to do with so much money?
"But my son would love to have a garden to play his football in, but you have to be happy with what you've got."
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