Small business cash mob at Hot Bagel at lunchtime Thursday

An Oak Ridge-based credit union is having its next small business cash mob at Hot Bagel Co. at lunchtime Thursday.

The cash mob is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. The first 30 people there will receive a free $20 gift card courtesy of ORNL Federal Credit Union. There is a limit of one per family or couple. Other special offers will also be available.

It’s the credit union’s Small Business Counts Cash Mob, which started in late July, and the first one at lunch.

Hot Bagel Co. was selected thanks to multiple nominations led by ORNL Federal Credit Union member Mark Medley, a press release said. Hot Bagel is located at 1155 Oak Ridge Turnpike in the Manhattan Place shopping center.

The press release said Hot Bagel has become a model for small businesses in the Oak Ridge community since owners Tom and Donna Sullivan first opened the doors in 1994.

“The store was the first in town to offer fresh cappuccino and continues to be well-known for its delicious bagels, breads, coffee, and pastries,” the release said. “In addition to Tom and Donna being actively involved in the community, Hot Bagel also raises money for Lupus awareness and research by shipping special purple whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread around the United States.”

The store is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hot Bagel also caters and ships.

The press release said the Small Business Counts Cash Mob program was created to recognize and show support for local merchants in the 16 counties that ORNL FCU serves by encouraging people to shop locally at a given date and time. The program includes the promotion and support of two local businesses each month and will continue into 2014.

For more information about the Small Business Counts program or to nominate a local merchant, supporters can visit www.SmallBusinessCounts.com. There is no requirement for the business to be a member of ORNL Federal Credit Union to be selected for a cash mob. Details of future cash mobs are made available approximately one week in advance of each event.