As an expression of support for local businesses, Occupy Brookings invites the
public to take part in a “holiday cash mob” in downtown Brookings on Saturday, Dec. 3.
A cash mob is a group of
committed citizens that visits a locally or regionally-owned business or eating
establishment to spend their money, en masse, as a little bit of economic
stimulus for the community. Cash mobs have now been organized in a number of
cities around the U.S. and are quickly spreading to other countries.
Phyllis Cole-Dai, one of
this event’s organizers for OB, believes this is probably the
first cash mob in South Dakota. Its purpose, she says, is not to solve local
economic challenges in one day, but to demonstrate support for locally-owned
businesses that keep wealth in the community and region in which they have a
vested interest.
Anyone wishing to
participate on Saturday should gather at Cottonwood Coffee at 10:30 a.m. Those assembled
will then select two shops and one restaurant to “mob.” To be targeted this
week, a business must be either locally or regionally owned; be situated downtown,
within walking distance of other establishments to be mobbed; be a positive
presence in the community; and have items for sale under $20.
After deciding which
businesses to “mob,” the group will then visit them on foot, en masse, according
to a prearranged schedule. (Individuals needing to use vehicles are welcome to
do so.) The Cash Mob will patronize two downtown shops before eating lunch at a
downtown restaurant. After lunch, those
who are interested will proceed to the Brookings Public Library for the next OB assembly meeting, to convene at 2:00 pm in the Cooper Room.
“Cash Mob participants don’t
have to spend money at each stop, or at any stop, for that matter,” says
Cole-Dai. “Their mere presence will say a lot. However, we encourage those who
can to spend $10 to $20 at one of the targeted businesses and to eat a meal at
the designated restaurant.”
“We hope the Cash Mob will help generate some excitement among Brookings residents to support their neighbors’ businesses,” says Lawrence Novotny, another event organizer. “Some of us may even end up visiting a shop or eatery we’ve never been in before.” He adds that the event is also meant to be a fun way to socialize with other members of the community. OB hopes that its Cash Mob will inspire other individuals, friendship circles, co-workers, or civic organizations to organize their own cash mobs in town. It plans to sponsor additional Cash Mobs itself, including some in the mall areas of town.
Anyone unable to attend this week’s Cash Mob but wishing to be supportive is encouraged to shop and eat locally during (and after) the holiday season. Don’t forget to tell the owners and staff of the establishments you patronize why you’re there. Share your experiences via this website.
