International Cash Mob Day, Saturday, March 24th, 2012

Wichita's very own "cash mob" is set to take over Delano tomorrow, Saturday, March 24th.  A "Cash Mob" is a group of people who assemble at a local business to all buy items at that business.Meant to support the community and a local-owned business. Wichita's Cash Mob is set to happen in the shopping district of Delano, a revitalized area of town known for it's locally owned shopping options.
The first Cash Mob was started in Buffalo, NY by Chris Smith, a blogger and engineer in August, 2011. He organized more than 100 people to buy products from a wine store.  He describes these mobs as a "reverse Groupon", that are meant to make a "chance for business owners to begin building a longer-term relationship with customers". 


Since it's inception it has taken off in other cities. Not only as a chance to help fledgling mom and pop owned businesses have a second chance in this toilet bowl economy, but it has opened up a whole new social network of people doing good for the community.  Money is spent and friends are made.  7 months since it's first mob, Saturday, March 24th, 2012 is now going to be recognized as "International Cash Mob Day", with cash mobs going on in 170 cities around the US tomorrow, and in Sydney, Toronto, and Mission B.C.  


There are Cash Mob rules, and three main rules when you are at the mob, being:  1. spend $20, 2. Meet at least 3 new people, 3. Have fun!!    There are also rules and guidelines for starting your own Cash Mob.


So do Cash Mob's really make a difference?  I would have to say yes, so far it seems that no one is complaining as local businesses especially appreciate any support and influx in business. One business who had been Cash Mobbed in Cleveland had stated that it was equal to a Christmas shopping day in business for them.  I would imagine also, that the amount of repeat shoppers after such an event would be fairly decent as well, since all those involved obviously care about local businesses to start with.  


So speaking of Mob and local businesses, I received an interesting phone message/recording today from Dandurand Drugs at Central and Rock.  Poor Dandurand Drugs, all the hoop-la and mobs of people taking over their parking lot due to some fancy chicken nuggets has apparently left no room for their normal customers.  I can see how this could be a catch-22 for them, but mostly, hardest hit in their pharmacy services. So much so that they are now offering to deliver your meds for FREE so that you don't avoid them all together. Dandurand is a locally owned Wichita business that has been in our community for quite some time.  I have always appreciated their wonderful selection of gift, home decor and accessories and jewelry, not to mention they are one of the few "compounding" pharmacies left in the area.  So while you are thinking about cash mobs, and maybe while you're waiting in line to do some chicken eating, don't forget to check out the great locally owned businesses that surround that corner of the city as well, and spread a little of your money there too.  It doesn't take an International Day to support a local business, it's just a way of thinking, and doing a little investigating before you spend  your all important dollar.


So what do you think?  Are Cash Mobs a great idea, or is the idea a little too trendy or offensive to you?
Whether you decide to go tomorrow or not, make it a new policy to try to spend your money at a locally owned business at least once per month.  It can make a big difference for our community.






Sources:  wikipedia, http://cashmobs.wordpress.com/,  Join the official facebook page for tomorrow's cash mob here, and you can also see a link to a listing of locally owned businesses in the Wichita area.