By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Shopping locally will take on a whole new meaning this weekend, if organizers with the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce can pull off their first ‘cash mob’ to hit the Star City — an event designed to infuse cash into a business or businesses and promote local buying. “In celebration of Small Business Saturday, on Nov. 30 the Chamber is interested in organizing a series of cash mobs for the small businesses of central Aroostook. Cash mobs are gaining in popularity as a way to boost sales and support local businesses,” said Nikita Cate, administrative assistant at the CACC.
Cate explained how a cash mob varies from a flash mob.
“A cash mob is a variant of a flash mob, which is when hundreds of people are called together to perform spontaneous acts, such as dancing, etc. By the same token, cash mobs use social media sites to draw customers to support a local business,” said Cate.
On average, mobbers spend $20 in cash, and then meet up at a local food or beverage establishment as a post-mob activity, noted Cate.
Plans are to meet as a group prior to “hitting” the store as a mob.
“We’ll meet Saturday at 12:45 p.m. at the Riverside parking lot. Everyone is asked to bring $10 to spend at the selected business. At 1 p.m. we’ll tell everyone where we’re going and head there,” said Cate.
For more information, call Cate at 764-6561 or e-mail ncate@centralaroostookchamber.com.
