A Melbourne cafe owner facing tough times in the lockdown has had his spirits lifted thanks to a generous donation from a pensioner couple.

Pierre Patole owns The Timbuktu cafe in Brighton East and has struggled with the business through the coronavirus restrictions and lockdown.

But on Friday, he found a note slid under the cafe door from two unknown customers who wanted to show their support for the local business.

Pierre Patole owns The Timbuktu cafe in Brighton East. Credit: 7NEWS

“There was an envelope under the door and in it was a beautiful message and the cash,” Patole told 7NEWS.

“It was very supportive. It’s good to know that people want us to succeed and stay here when everything is over.”

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The mystery donor gifted him $750 in cash from the couple’s own government payment.

“The government says the $750 is for us to spend. I need nothing that I can think to spend it on and have thought that I would like to donate to your business,” the letter read.

The mystery donor gifted him $750 in cash from the couple’s own government payment. Credit: Supplied

“You are certainly part of the economy and we very much admire your efforts to create a wonderful new family focused business.

“Plus your ever smiling welcome despite these hard times - it helps us all.”

With no way to thank to anonymous pensioners, Patole has taken to writing it in chalk outside the cafe doors.