Customers Pay-It-Forward 600 Times At Local Starbucks

A whole lot of coffee drinkers were feeling the Christmas spirit this week.

According to NBC News, hundreds of customers at a Newington, Connecticut Starbucks took the opportunity to began a pay-it-forward campaign.

The fun, which started eight in the morning on Christmas Eve and continued into Christmas Day, gave the coffee chain a chance to spread the holiday spirit with free coffee on behalf of other generous customers, who came in before them.

NBC reported that over 303 customers paid it forward on Tuesday before the store closed at 8 p.m. At the end of 12  hours, closing time on Wednesday night, about 420 people had paid it forward.

"It was a nice surprise we were just going to get some drinks and go home," customer Kaitlyn Willametz told NBC.

Willametz called the act a "generous gesture" and continued the trend by paying for the coffee of the person behind her, which reportedly erupted a domino effect for good cheers.

"It means a lot people are still looking out for other people and being caring and bringing out the holiday spirit," she said.

According to NBC, the night ended with was reportedly an extra $45 leftover in the register, which meant more free drink for customers.  

"It feels so good," customer Cathy Shemeth said, "It's awesome. That's what Christmas is all about."

Employees at the Connecticut Starbucks told NBC they hope that paying-it-forward with free coffee on Christmas will become a tradition.

"It's pretty great,"Jennie Gillespy told NBC. "You think you're going coffee and you end up doing a little bit more makes you feel good." 

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