ST. GEORGE – Imagine some small, locally-owned business in Anytown, USA. One night, as the employees tend to customer needs and stock shelves, a large influx of people suddenly appears. Within minutes a hundred people or more have walked through the doors and are buying things right and left in a united show of support for local business.
For one unsuspecting business in the St. George area, this is exactly what Daniel Deceuster has in store for March 24.
The event in which a large number of people plan to flood a locally-owned business and spend money is called a cash mob; the concept was originally started in Cleveland, Ohio last year by lawyer Andrew Samtoy. Samtoy’s actions inspired others throughout the nation to create their own cash mobs, including Deceuster.
“The purpose of the cash mod is quite simply to support local businesses,” Deceuster said. “The objective is simply show up, surprise the business owner, spend money in their store all at once, and then leave.”
The inaugural mobbing of the St. George Cash Mob will be on “National Cash Mob Day,” March 24.
“This will be our first event and our goal is to get as much exposure as possible … so that we can drive a large crowd to wherever we decide to mob,” Deceuster said.
Deceuster added that people who have recommendations for business cash mobbing can visit the St. George Cash Mob website and send their choices via the “contact” tab. However, a particular business needs to meet certain criteria, such as if it will have enough parking, enough inventory, and enough manpower to be swamped by a large crowd.
“It just doesn’t work for some places,” he said. “Mechanics obviously cannot service a line of 100 cars, and a bakery would likely lose all [of its] inventory and may not be adequately staffed to make more.”
For the businesses that would not be able to handle a horde of shoppers, Deceuster said they would still be featured on the STGcashmob.com website.
“Even though we can’t cash mob everyone, we can at least bring more exposure to as many local businesses as possible,” he said.
So how do people sign up for the cash mob? Deceuster said there were a variety of ways.
“You can regularly check the site for updates or subscribe to the blog to receive them,” he said. “You can like our Facebook page and be notified of announcements there.”
People can also receive notifications through twitter and email.
Once the official location for the cash mob is set, Deceuster said he wants participants to bring as many people with them as possible.
“This concept will have a big impact if we have a big crowd,” he said. “Don’t just show up alone, bring some friends with you. The more the merrier.”
twitter: @MoriKessler
Copyright 2012 St. George News