Patrick Dempsey, who plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, aka Dr. McDreamy, on the hit television show Grey’s Anatomy, was the winning bidder for the ailing Tully’s coffee chain, paying $9.15 million for the chain in Thursday’s 13-hour auction.

Friday he toured the Tully’s stores in the Seattle/Bellevue area, appearing at the Mercer Island location at about 12:30 p.m.

Dempsey said he bought the chain because of brand loyalty.

“It would be a tragedy to let it shut down,” he said. “There’s so much loyalty between employees, and this will preserve some jobs.”

Outside, a woman was overheard thanking him for saving jobs.

Dempsey said he plans to visit Seattle at least twice a month to check on his investment. He said he loves Seattle – where Grey’s Anatomy is set. Dempsey lives in California.

A crowd quickly gathers outside the Tully’s at Lincoln Square on Friday, Jan. 4 as actor Patrick Dempsey (center, rear) visits the coffee shop.

Actor Patrick Dempsey greets customers at the Tully’s at Lincoln Square on Friday, Jan. 4.

Kemper Freeman, left, presents a Lincoln Square jacket to actor Patrick Dempsey on Friday, Jan. 4. Dempsey was visiting the Tully’s coffee shop at Lincoln Square.