A Launceston cafe is putting a caffeinated spin on the classic “guess how many jelly beans are in the jar” competition, with the prize being free coffee for life.
Samuel Pepy’s Cafe on George Street is celebrating 10 years under its current ownership by challenging customers to count the hundreds of antique spoons lining its walls.
Co-owner Jason Shelley said the idea came from a childhood favourite.
“It just popped into my head, guess how many jelly beans, guess how many spoons and I just put the two and two together and came up with, hey, free coffee, the golden ticket,” he told Pulse.
The prize is one free coffee per visit for as long as the cafe operates.
And depending on how committed the winner is, that could add up.
Shelley estimates someone working nearby who bought a coffee five days a week could rack up almost $8,000 worth of coffee over five years at today’s prices.
He has counted the spoons twice to make sure the number is right – but is not giving away any clues.
Guesses within 25 of the correct number will go into a draw, with the winner to be pulled on Melbourne Cup day in November.
“Even if you actually got the number, you have to be drawn out,” Shelley said.
“I can tell you, there are a couple of people that have actually already pinged the number.”
Each coffee purchase earns one entry, while dining in earns two, with some customers already holding more than 20 entries.
Shelley, who co-owns the gluten-free cafe with Terri Shadwick and Kylie Waldren, said reaching the 10-year milestone was a significant achievement.
“These days with the economic climate the way it is, with people coming and going in the industry, it’s a pretty good mark,” he said.
And despite turning 60, Shelley said he had no plans to cash out, with the cafe locked into a long lease.
“I’m 60, I don’t really think I intend on selling the cafe anytime soon and going working for someone,” he said.
For now, the spoons are staying on the wall – and the coffee will keep flowing.
“You have gotta be in it to win it,” he said.
