A “Cash Mob” To Descend On Bellport!
Over the past seven years, Bellport.com has tried to
support our local businesses in everyway possible and we’ve published many
Editorials on the subject. We don’t expect anyone to have “THE” answer that
will turn the economy around for local businesses, but that doesn’t mean we
should stop trying. The very fact that we all keep trying is what will
eventually turn things around and lets our local businesses know they’re not
alone in all of this.
A week or so ago, one of the nicest people you’re ever going to meet, Terri
Hall, came to me with a question, “Had I ever heard of a “Cash Mob?” I
hadn’t, so Terri went on to explain, “I learned of Cash Mobs from my brother
and sister-in-law in San Diego, CA when a Cash Mob descended upon my
sister-in-law’s store, Make Good, in the South Park neighborhood of San
Diego. In a nutshell, a Cash Mob is a group of people who agree to gather at
a pre-determined time at a pre-determined local business. Each person agrees
to spend $20 (more if you like) in that store at that time. Imagine if 100
people spent $20 each…what a great day for that business owner!
There are a few “rules”…
- The local business is selected based on their
support and contribution to the local community AND should be locally
owned.
- The selected business is notified in advance so
that they can appropriately staff and prepare to service the number of
expected customers. (Cash Mobbers must be patient and considerate as
they shop and wait for their transaction to be processed.)
- The Cash Mob organizers are requested to alert
local media so that appropriate coverage might be given to the event.
- Finally, it is suggested that a local “watering
hole” be alerted as well and receive the Cash Mobbers following the
event. This promotes yet another local business, creates a sense of
community among the Cash Mobbers and well… it’s fun!
The result of the Cash Mob on my sister-in-law’s
store, Make Good, was tremendous. It was a nice infusion of cash and it
affirmed their mission as well as provided great advertisement for the
store. In the case of my sister-in-law’s store, the infusion of cash not
only supported my sister-in-law and family, but many local artists who sell
their work in her store including a young, single mother who lives in
Tijuana. Profit from the handcrafts this mother sells in Make Good allows
her to feed her family. Cool, huh?”
So, what do you think? Terri is organizing Bellport’s first ever Cash Mob
for sometime in the next two or three weeks. Are you in? The local business
to be the “Mobee” won’t be announced until the Mob meets. The idea is that,
over time, the focus should be on the Cash Mob helping the entire community
rather than one specific business. We’ll be sure to announce all the details
right here on Bellport.com as we get closer to the “Mobbing” and we’ll
include information in our weekly email blast that goes out to the community
every week. Why don’t you drop Terri a note and let her know you’re in:
terrihall@optonline.net.
Or if you're on Facebook, check out their page
here.
Will we see you there???
If you have a comment and would like to respond to any of the above, we'd be glad to consider printing your response. Please send your comments to larry@bellport.com.
Larry Sribnick
Editor/Publisher, Bellport.com