Whither are we going?
by Andrew Samtoy
People have been asking me recently where I see Cash Mobs going. I’ve never been a good judge of how successful this movement was going to be – at our first mob, we wanted just one person who we didn’t know to show up, and that was how we were going to judge our success. We never, ever could have predicted that things would take off like this. This whole ride has been thrilling and crazy and incredible, and we’re incredibly thankful for it.
I did have a few thoughts thought today, though. First, I hop all of these Cash Mobs help reorient consumer buying behavior toward locally-owned stores. There are all sorts of economic benefits to buying local, so I won’t expand on that here.
Second, it has been incredible to see people taking responsibility for their communities. It has been especially rewarding to get emails from people who have never held any sort of leadership role or participated in any community organization but who want to organize Cash Mobs, and, over the course of just a few days, to hear about their success and growing sense of confidence and accomplishment. I really hope that the organizers take more active roles in their communities – continuing to organize, to speak, to build a sense of camaraderie – even, perhaps, running for elected office. It has also been exciting to hear of people meeting at Cash Mobs and becoming friends, or business partners, or even going on dates. The second rule at a Cash Mob – to meet three new people – is proving extremely successful at forming face-to-face networks inside communities.
Third, I hope that people have fun at these – that they remember that they can give up control once in a while, that they can relax, that they don’t have to keep a tight grip on their time and their lives. I hope we’re introducing people to new stores, neighborhoods and communities that they didn’t know existed in their cities. And I hope they are coming out of this with an increasing sense of the amazing diversity of people and places where they live.
Tomorrow is International Cash Mob Day. Find a mob near you, spend $20, meet three new people and HAVE FUN!!!
Andrew
Cash Mobs typically focus on one local independent business and ask that people meet there to spend $20. Here in Niles, we’re putting a Main Street twist on things and asking that you come downtown on Saturday, March 24th and spend at least $20 in one or more of the wonderful, local, INDEPENDENT businesses in our Niles Main Street District.
At the mob, there are three rules:
Spend $20 in one or more of the shops;
Meet three people you didn’t know before;
HAVE FUN!!!
Visit this page often and look for posts from Niles Main Street District businesses where they’ll tell you their story and why you should ‘Mob’ their store.
We’re asking people that come to please post what they did/spent and where they spent it on our FB Page.
We’ll be doing a random drawing on Monday, March 26th and one luck poster will win $40 in Niles Downtown Dollars!
Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find:
A Casperson Books/ 113 N 3rd Street/will join in and offer %50 off all Gardening and Cook Books! Hundreds of books to choose from and I will bring in more. Some are table size, flower arranging, garden architecture, small gardens, wild flowers , British gardens, tulips, orchids OTHERS. Cook books back to the 1800′s, don’t miss this sale, I don’t do it often.
Stop by Majerek”s Gift Shoppe and Reader’s World/213 E Main Street/…we just got in designer women’s perfumes and men’s colognes. Also the highest quality in Jade bracelets for a fraction of the cost you will pay in the designer stores. Plus if you spend $30, you get a tote bag for free!
Bella’s Gifts and Memories /222 E Main Street/~ Owner, Julie Straw-Udell says “Mob Bella’s please!! We have all new purses, scarves, jewelry and home decor. Spend 30 dollars or more and receive 10% off your purchase.!!!”
Tippy Toes Natural Nail Salon and Tanning /1002 E Main Street/will be having a Mani Pedi Special $40.00!!! We now offer OPI Gels! The newest nail revelation around! Tippy Toes went to the American Beauty Show and learned about this new product! Please come out and meet our two new professionals, Courtney our new nail tech, and Cassi our new massage therapist. Both girls are offering specials for the “CASH MOB” event with an introductory discount price. we 4 pedicure chairs and manicuring tables for small groups 269-684-3394 Please call Vicky, Hope, Lea, and Courtney for all your nail needs, and Cassi for a relaxing chair massage today! Mention this post for all specials. We hope to see you on Mob day!!
10% of the sales from Trailhead Mercantile /209 E Main Street/ on Cash Mob Day (March 24) will go to the Bennett family to help support Bailey Bennett a 5 year old boy in our community battling brain cancer.
Jazzercise Niles Fitness Center /1001 Broadway/- $20/1 month of unlimited classes. Start your Spring training with us. March 24th only
Pizza Transit /100 S 11th Street—soon to be 215 E Main Street /will be offering FREE Breadsticks with any regular priced purchase to anyone mentioning the Cash Mob when ordering on the 24th!
Lace Dance and Fitness Studio /226 ½ E Main / Drop in and take a class and buy a punch card to help get yourself ready for SUMMER! Look your best!
Niles Styles /226 E Main / “Some lucky ducky cash mobster is gonna win a $30.00 egg! That’s right, when you shop in our beautiful town you get stuff! Just come on in to Niles Styles and pick out your egg( we got’em all in one basket!) And if ya don’t get the golden egg you can still get some great deals on Cash Mob Day, Saturday the 24th.”
Scott Bishop/ Bishop Sewing Center: /105 E Main Street /We are having a sale on Brother sewing machine Model LX 3125, these machines are normally $99.00, But are on sale now for $65.00. This is the cheapest I’ve seen a new machine in 30 years. I only have six of these machines left. Give us a call 269 683 4530
‘Cross the Street Collectables /211 N 2nd Street/ “20% off most everything!”
Veni’s Sweet Shop /228 E Main Street/ Free Easter Egg- Your choice: Peanut Butter, Raspberry, Marshmallow, Coconut, Solid Milk Chocolate with any $10 purchase
Sentiments /309 E Main Street /10% off Every Purchase!
The Doll Shop/203 E Main Street/ will offer 15% off all Middleton and Berenguer purchases of $10.00 and up and 10% off all other total sales of $10.00 and up.
Essential Kneads Massage Therapy /1011 Broadway/ “Don’t forget tomorrow is “National Cash Mob day” in downtown Niles. See what all our downtown has to offer. Also call Essential Kneads tomorrow to schedule a massage and mention the cash mob to receive an hour massage for $30. *massage can be scheduled through the month of April. Call 269-240-4797.”
The Paris /220 E Main/Come join us for lunch and get a FREE small ice cream cone with a lunch order.
[...] People have been asking me recently where I see Cash Mobs going. I’ve never been a good judge of how successful this movement was going to be – at our first mob, we wanted just one person who we didn’t know to show up, and that was how we were going to judge our success. We never, ever could have predicted that things would take off like this. This whole ride has been thrilling and crazy and incredible, and we’re incredibly thankful for it. – Andrew Samtoy [...]