Shoppers line up to buy meat at J&M’s Butcher Shop on Jefferson Circle during a ‘cash mob’ Saturday morning.
Two Oak Ridge businesses reported more than 100 customers shopped at each of their stores during a Saturday morning “cash mob.”
The two businesses picked for Saturday’s cash mob were J&M’s Butcher Shop on Jefferson Circle and Mickey’s Produce on Jefferson Avenue.
“We have been swamped,” said Vicky Wallace, who owns J&M’s with her husband John Wallace, as shoppers lined up to buy meats or sample products such as beef and pimiento cheese.
A few doors down at Mickey’s, cashier Aline Russell said the produce stand had a good turnout as well. They sold many tomatoes, bananas, nectarines, cucumbers, and corn, Russell said.
“We hope it continues,” she said. “We like it busy.”
Mickey’s offers a wide assortment of produce and other products at a new Jefferson Avenue store. (Photo by Charles Samuels)
During a cash mob, large crowds of shoppers show up at small businesses to spend money. They try to spend at least $20.
Cash mobs started last fall, when Chris Smith, a Buffalo, N.Y., blogger, envisioned using the purchasing power of “flash mobs,” a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, to help small businesses, according to National Public Radio.
Saturday’s cash mob in Oak Ridge was sponsored by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of Oak Ridge.
There is also another weekly cash mob in Oak Ridge organized by a group of people that includes resident Kay Williamson.
Rebiani says
It might be helpful to list their regular days and hours of operation. When are they open? There might be people (including me) that would like to go there when there is not a “Cash Mob”. I also didn’t hear about it until it was over.