‘Wouldn’t it be funny to make a sign that would take people a few minutes to read but it would change their day?’
Two customers saw a sign in Sleepers Bar and Kitchen’s window and claimed their free hot drink(Image: Submitted)
A Beverley cafe bar delivered a surprise treat for two happy customers who did nothing more than look up from their phones and notice the little things that surrounded them. On Saturday, August 1, the team at Sleepers Bar and Kitchen, in Norwood, were gearing up for a busy weekend. During a morning coffee break, operations and marketing manager Harry Bates had an idea.
“It all started because we were busy that morning getting ready to open up for a busy Saturday,” Harry said. “We were just sweating and we had a coffee and I said ‘wouldn’t it be funny to make a sign that would take people a few minutes to read but it would change their day?’ Everyone knows the building is there but would they notice a sign there? We are a busy cafe environment. We thought, why not give a free coffee to people who enjoy the business and take the time to read the sign? You always end up out on Saturdays, but do you actually enjoy it?”
Harry typed out a message on a small piece of paper and affixed it to the window. It read: “Hey Nosey! We see you reading, but that’s a good thing. You notice the little things in life and they often become the best things in life… Because you notice the little things in life, we’ve got a free hot drink for you to take away COMPLETELY FREE. Why? Because why not, it’s all about the little things in life and we wanna make sure you have a good day and pass on the good vibes. So come pop in, ask for your free hot drink and enjoy. Love, Sleepers team.”
During that busy Saturday, plenty of people walked past Sleepers’ large windows, but only two people came inside to claim their free drink. Harry said: “It was two youngsters about 17 or 18. Lots of people were just passing by with the usual shopping bags. We always see them walking past and there were a few that looked at it. If I saw it I would have stopped. They took a glance and didn’t acknowledge, or didn’t look.
“We had two youngsters come in and asked if they got a free coffee. And I said ‘Absolutely, it’s the little things, isn’t it?’ They were really happy and I said we were going to try to slow people down today. Pass on the good side of things. We believe something will come back to you, in a sense, when you do a good thing. They were happy with themselves. Someone was leaving with a pram and they ran over to the door and she was really grateful.” Harry said the small act of kindness showed the pair “were already passing on the good karma and vibes. Hopefully at that age it carries on and it sticks.”
He said it proves the youngsters “were brought up the right way”, and have “still got their manners”. “I think it’s so nice when you get something for nothing. I think it will stick with them for a while.”
A post on the Sleepers Bar Beverley Facebook page has almost 400 likes and many comments. The staff are now looking for other ways to spread a little joy and appreciate “the little things in life”. Anyone with any further ideas can contact Harry and the management team at sleepersbar@gmail.com .
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