Bluffton teen wanted Corner Perk drink before surgery; Here’s the cafe owner’s response

Kennedy Geyer videotaped her 15-year-old son as the anesthetic set in ahead of a knee surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston last week.

She knew he might ramble on about something amusing. She didn’t expect it to be about the spiced caramel cider at Corner Perk Cafe.

“Awww.....so good, so good,” Elijah Geyer said as he smiled off into the distance. “Ten out of 10. The best apple cider I’ve ever had in my life. I’d drink that by the gallon.”

His mother thinks the drug-induced obsession stems from her family’s typical stops at Corner Perk’s Port Royal location on their way to doctor visits in Charleston.

“We love Corner Perk and get it every time,” she said.

They didn’t stop ahead of the surgery because Elijah wasn’t able to eat or drink anything.

The video, which Elijah doesn’t remember, was uploaded to social media and ultimately caught the attention of Corner Perk owner Josh Cooke.

“It made me think it was worthwhile what we are doing,” Cooke said. “It was a bright moment in a dark time.”

Cooke said it is always heartwarming to hear positive feedback from the community, and he particularly appreciated Geyer’s video.

“So much of the time you get the negative,” Cooke said. “It is nice when people show that this place really means something.”

The video made Cooke feel good and, in return, he wanted to help make Elijah’s rehabilitation easier.

He contacted Kennedy Geyer, and they set up a time for Cooke and his family to deliver a gallon of cider.

The family showed up not only with the cider but with cups bearing hand-written notes addressed to Elijah.

Elijah said via text message Sunday that the delivery was a complete surprise.

“Honestly, it’s the best apple cider you will ever have, and the fact that he took time out of his busy schedule to bring it over was pretty great,” Elijah said. “I realized what might seem like a little kind deed, can really be a big deal for someone else.”

Elijah said he plans to pay it forward.

The best part is the Cooke family didn’t ask for publicity, Geyer said.

Cooke “didn’t come over and ask if he could take a picture,” she said.

Still, she thought everyone should know. “Whenever someone makes that extra effort it should be known.”