Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsey Makes Bid To Buy Troubled Seattle Coffee House Chain

First Published: December 27, 2012 11:39 AM EST Credit: Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Patrick Dempsey attends the New York premiere of “Transformers: Dark Of The Moon” in Times Square on June 28, 2011Patrick Dempsey says he wants to rescue a coffee house chain and more than 500 jobs.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star said Wednesday he’s leading a group attempting to buy Tully’s Coffee. The Seattle-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October.

Dempsey said he’s excited about the chance to help hundreds of workers and give back to Seattle.

The actor has a strong TV tie to the city: He plays Dr. Derek Shepherd on “Grey’s Anatomy,” the ABC drama set at fictional Seattle Grace Hospital.

Tully’s has 47 company-run stores in Washington and California, as well as five franchised stores and 58 licensed locations in the U.S.

Any sale would have to be approved by a judge. A bankruptcy court hearing is set for Jan. 11 in Seattle.

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