Amy Bartner

amy.bartner@indystar.com

For just one day, Indy's Bee Coffee Roasters will become Luke's Diner, the fictional cafe in "Gilmore Girls."

To celebrate the anniversary of the first episode airing 16 years ago and to stir interest in the Netflix reunion, a mini-series called "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life," Netflix is taking over 250 coffee shops throughout the country on Oct. 5.

Each shop will give away 250 free cups of coffee starting at 7 a.m., with Luke's-branded sleeves that will reveal show quotes and custom Snapchat filters once peeled off the cup. Each barista will get a Luke's hat and an apron to wear while serving the free cups of regular coffee (one per customer, of course).

What's the deal with that Ninja Turtles van driving around town?

"We're just going to name it 'Luke's blend,'" Bee Coffee Roasters co-owner BJ Davis said. "Netflix is encouraging people to make this fun as well: Bring a giant coffee cup and pose for a photo with the sign, that kind of stuff."

Both locations of Bee Coffee Roasters, 5510 Lafayette Road and Downtown at 201 S. Capitol Ave., will become Luke's, with outdoor signage. Davis said she learned through this Netflix marketing push that many of the baristas were "Gilmore Girls" fans.

"I've been rewatching episodes of it to get a feel for Luke's cafe," she said.

Luke's Diner is where Lorelei, played by Lauren Graham, and Rory, Alexis Bledel, hung most episodes to eat burgers, fries and drink copious amounts of coffee.

Downtown Bee Coffee Roasters manager and show fan Jessi Collins said she is planning to get into character.

"I know I already have my flannel picked out," she said. "I used to watch it a long time ago with my little sister. I'm really excited to see who this event brings in."

And unlike the real/fake Luke's in Stars Hollow, you're permitted to use your cellphone in this cafe.

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