Corner Perk's pay it forward movement goes global

BLUFFTON, SC (WTOC) - The Corner Perk coffee shop in Bluffton has received calls and responses from all over the country about its pay it forward movement. It's also making headlines around the world.

Corner Perk has been featured in social media, websites, magazines, and even the current issue of The Inquirer.

The shop's owner, Josh Cooke, said it all started with a generous customer who occasionally leaves $100 anonymously at the coffee shop to buy drinks for the customers who come in after her.

Then last month, customers started talking about it. The owner put it on Facebook. From there, it just snowballed. Other customers started paying it forward as well - donating $20, $50, and $100. After local media stories got the story out, it went global.

Cooke said he's humbled by all of the national and international attention.

"Its really cool that it has gotten so much attention because it's such a great story to tell," said Cooke. "It really inspires people. Things haven't been easy the last couple of years, but this is one of those things that helps restore our belief in humanity and helps us want to continue to live life doing things that matter and that make a difference. It may be a silly little thing, but it's the beginning of people helping each other out."

They've also been featured in The Star in Canada. The story has also appeared in Chinese for a Yahoo! article.

Copyright 2012 WTOC. All rights reserved.