Man foots the tab for coffee, food and treats at St. John's coffee shop
Coffee lovers at Jumping Bean in St. John's had a drink on the house on Friday
Early morning visitors to a coffee shop in St. John's benefited from a surprise gesture on Friday.
An anonymous customer set up a $250 tab at Jumping Bean on Elizabeth Avenue, and until the money ran out, customers were able to drink coffee and eat for free at the shop.
According to barista Rachelle Brydon, the donation surprised everyone.
"Everything went on it. All the drinks, all the food, all the treats and the sandwiches," she said.
"People were definitely unsure what to make of the whole thing."
The only condition of accepting the free food and drink, Brydon said, was to take that act of kindness and pay it forward.
"His stipulation is to tell people to be nice to each other. It's called Be Kind NL."
The free food and drinks kept flowing for about 45 minutes after the tab was set up, said Brydon.
Movement around being nice
CBC News sent an email to the man behind Be Kind NL, and while he refused to reveal his name, he offered a statement explaining his actions.
He said the money for the food and coffee at Jumping Bean came out of his own pocket, and that he started the initiative after wanting to help restore Newfoundland and Labrador's friendly reputation.
Everything went on it. All the drinks, all the food, all the treats and the sandwiches.- Jumping Bean Barista Rachelle Brydon
He said growing up he was proud of the province's reputation, but in recent years he feels it may have changed a bit.
Deep down however, he said he believes that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are still the kind-hearted people they've always been known as.
While he declined to reveal his next move, he did say that he plans to continue committing acts of kindness, in the hopes they'll inspire a movement around just being nice.
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