Chain to offer free coffee -- if the weather's hot

J.P. Licks has declared Thursday as its first free coffee day — the kickoff to a summer promotion that will dispense free iced coffee when the temperature rises above 81 degrees.

The seven-store Boston ice cream chain wants to highlight the coffee it imports from Guatemala and roasts at its Jamaica Plain headquarters.

In addition to a free cup of coffee on Thursday, customers will be issued a Free Iced Coffee Card that’s valid all summer for a free iced coffee when the mercury’s above 81.

Why 81 degrees? Because 1981 was J.P. Licks’ first year.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)