Cash Mob Plans a Hit on Local Woman's Business

A local business is about to get mobbed.

More than a dozen people plan to show up at 2 p.m. today to Recycled Dreams at the Silk House Cafe in Ambridge, to browse, purchase and enjoy a good time. Co-owner Barbara Jones of said the antique store will be ready.

Karen Garvey-DiPaolo came up with the idea as a way to help infuse cash into local businesses.

“Promoting small business is important in that it establishes a feeling of connection with our local community,” said Garvey-DiPaolo of Ambridge.

The idea behind the cash mob is catching on like wild fire. Last Saturday was International Cash Mob Day and events are sprouting up in and around Pittsburgh, including a hit that took place Friday in Station Square.

If you haven’t heard, a cash mob is a group of people who congregate at a locally-owned business and infuse their collective cash into the local merchant’s register. 

The first ever, according to the Huffington Post, was organized on Aug. 5, 2011, by blogger Christopher Smith, who encouraged Buffalo, N.Y., residents to give local small businesses an economic boost.

Social media helps to spread the date, time and location and the only requirement is that mobsters show up, have a good time and shop. 

In most cases, mobsters are asked to spend around $20 each, but any amount works. Several mobs around the country have reported more than $1,500 contributed in just over an hour of mobbing.

The Main Street movement was spawned by the social media craze known as the "Flash Mob." It's similar to the idea of , when shoppers patronize locally-owned businesses rather than big box retailers. But a cash mob is even more focused because only one business is targeted in a small window of time on one day.

For smaller “mom and pop” shops hoping to pull in more traffic to their establishments, being selected for a cash mob can, in many ways, be priceless.

“A Cash Mob event not only helps the business,” Garvey-DiPaolo said, “but allows the opportunity for those who have not shopped in local stores a chance to meet the owners and see what those businesses have to offer by making it a fun group event.”

Store owners are typically given advanced notice to prepare for the influx of shoppers.

Today's group plans to head to the nearby Apple Lane Cafe for snacks and drinks afterward.

As of Friday night, DiPaolo’s Facebook invite had 16 replies from people planning to attend and another 16 listed as “maybe.” Someone from the Trinity Seminary School also put out a notice so DiPaolo is expecting more than 16 could show up.

"I think it's great because I think it's hard for local businesses, mainly little stores like this...They are struggling," Jones said.

Jones of Leetsdale and her business partner Tammy Beveridge, a Moon Township native, are two single moms who came from two different antique malls. They started the business doing what they both love.

Jones said the store sells everything from Fiestaware and oil paintings to vintage and upscale clothing and furniture. No matter who shows up, there is sure to be something for everyone. 

"We have a lot of stuff," she said.