Mi Apa and Krispy Kreme to reward voters with free coffee, doughnuts

Citizens can get a free cup of coffee and a doughnut by showing their “I Voted” sticker this week.

Mi Apa Latin Cafe started giving out free medium cafes con leche Thursday for those who showed an early-voting sticker or a photo of themselves wearing it. The Krispy Kreme on Northwest 13th Street will give out a free doughnut to voters on Election Day.

Mi Apa is giving away coffee at its Gainesville and Alachua locations and will continue to do so through Tuesday, said Pamela Sanchez, a manager at Mi Apa’s Gainesville location.

On Tuesday only, customers at Krispy Kreme’s Gainesville location can get any one doughnut of their choice with their voting sticker, said Shonda Lewis, a Gainesville Krispy Kreme employee. Stickers from both Election Day and early voting will be accepted.

At least 100 customers have taken advantage of Mi Apa’s free coffee so far, Sanchez said. Between Sunday and Tuesday night, Sanchez said she expects more than 20 voters per day to show their stickers.

Mi Apa owner Peter Ynigo started the promotion in order to give back to loyal customers and encourage citizens to participate in this year’s election, Sanchez said.

The Cuban-style restaurant first posted the offer to its Facebook and Instagram accounts to alert customers Thursday, she said. It’s the first time Ynigo has provided the incentive.

“He wanted to make it really clear we don’t care who you vote for — but it’s really important that you go out and vote,” Sanchez said.

Kaitlyn Hosticka, an area coordinator for the UF Department of Graduate and Family Housing, said although free coffee is not the reason she’s planning to vote Tuesday, she likes the idea.

“It’s extremely important that people go out and vote because there’s a lot at stake,” she said.

Adam Baker / Flickr