A customer left a $500 tip at a Stamford diner struggling to stay in business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The generous tip was left at Parkway Diner on High Ridge Road in Stamford, which typically serves about 50 to 60 customers each morning, but is now only serving a handful during the pandemic.

Owner Lushe Gjuraj says she was almost going to close her doors, but is offering take-out only, because of her regulars.

But she says the new normal isn't enough to keep things up and running, and she laid off most of her workers, and can barely afford to pay the ones she still has.

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The idea of Gjuraj struggling didn't sit well with longtime customer Mark so he left a $500 tip on a bill barely $60.

"I thought that was really sweet, and, you know, I teared up, you know what I mean, because that was very sweet and thoughtful and it's a lot of money," Gjuraj says.

Gjuraj says she will celebrate 20 years in business in August.

Mark says he hopes by the anniversary of the business, the community won't have to take out, but take part in a celebration in a packed house.

A friend of the owner also started a Gofundme page for Parkway Diner, which has already raised $17,000.