( CNN ) -- A pay it forward chain that began in a St. Petersburg , Florida , Starbucks linked more than 750 strangers in a two-day act of coffee kindness . `` It was a pleasant surprise . Everyone likes their coffee paid for . So it was nice , '' one customer told CNN affiliate Bay News 9 . The chain reportedly began Wednesday morning when a woman in her 60s offered to buy coffee for the car behind her , a store employee told Bay News 9 . `` There were some stops and starts to it since it started yesterday ( Wednesday ) morning at 7 a.m. , but I do know it originally started through a customer , '' said Starbucks spokesperson Linda Mills . Participant Lucy Ramone went through the line twice on Wednesday . `` I was number 57 this morning , '' Ramone said to the drive-through barista , according to Bay News 9 . `` What number am I now ? '' Ramone asked the barista . `` Number 297 ! '' Ramone raised her hands in victory . She had brought her son as a passenger to experience the second round of beverages . `` I think it just puts a smile on people 's face , '' she said . `` We are greatly humbled by the generosity of our customers and store partners in the organic Pay if Forward movement happening in St. Petersburg , Florida , '' said Mills . `` It 's truly a testament to the goodwill of our customers and our store team . '' The hundreds of acts of kindness had at least one public critic . St. Petersburg blogger Peter Schorsch asked that readers do n't call him a `` grinch '' for allegedly ending the pay it forward chain . `` In case any of you are caught up in the Pay It Forward baloney at Starbucks . I just drove through the line , bought a venti mocha frap AND DID NOT PAY IT FORWARD . The chain is broken and this silliness should stop . ( P.S . I tipped the baristas $ 100 , just so you ca n't call me a grinch . ) , '' Schorsch posted on his Facebook account . In a post on his website Schorsch wrote `` customers were being told that they had had their drink paid for and then asked would they like to pay for the drink of the person next in line . That 's not generosity , that 's guilt . '' Mills said participation was voluntary . `` More than 750 people have participated in it at this one store , which is so amazing to see . Naturally , not everyone chose to participate , which is completely fine , '' Mills said .
More than 100 customers buy coffee for a fee . Random act of kindness lasts two days in Florida city . A local policeman claims credit for stopping the crime .