Free Coffee Draws Crowd to Big Bean

You didn't have to be a fan of vampire shows to get a at the on Thursday. But fans could get free posters and participate in a raffle—part of a promotion for the new episode of The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle, which aired Thursday night on Fox CWTV.

Supporting their fellow local business were Rob Marcus, owner of , located across the street, and Nancy Greer of the Jing Ying Institute on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard who stopped in to grab a free cup and mingle with the crowd.

Members of the Moms Club of Severna Park with little ones in tow were grateful for the morning free treat.

"A free coffee for mom is always a good thing and I was out of coffee at home," said Aimee Murphy of Severna Park.

Murphy's little ones, Sarah, 1, and Kate, 3, munched on breakfast cookies purchased to go with the free coffee. Murphy met her friend, Amanda Miller, for some conversation while enjoying the freebies.

Big Bean baristas Valerie Cooper and Lori DiMont agreed that the promotional event brought in "a lot of new faces" and a steady stream of customers all morning. The event happened to coincide with the celebration of the shop's 12th anniversary on Sunday that was declared on a banner atop the entrance.