WEST MILFORD You've heard of "flash mobs" - large groups of people who meet at a specified location and break out in song and dance. West Milford is planning something just as exciting but a little more beneficial. It's a "cash mob."
What is a cash mob, you might ask? It's a group of people who show up at one local business and shop there. It's that simple but will give a boost to the local economy.
"The expectation is that everyone spend $20," said organizers in an email.
It will happen on Saturday, Aug. 25, as the group meets in the Wells Fargo Parking Lot at 2:30 p.m. When the group has gathered, organizers will announce what store will be mobbed. Then they will shop for an hour at that location, then head back to Uncorked Wines and Spirits in the ShopRite plaza to celebrate making a difference in the local economy.
"It gives locals the opportunity to see what our businesses have to offer, meet the owners, and support them through a purchase," according to organizers.
The goal is to get at least 100 people to come out and participate in the cash mob.
According to cashmobs.wordpress.com, the general idea of a cash mob is to encourage people to go shopping at small, local businesses, en masse, to give the business owner a small version of economic stimulus.
The first cash mob was the brainchild of a Buffalo, N.Y. blogger in August, 2011. Since then, cash mobs have sprouted up across the United States, Canada and around the world, organized by many different organizers. The common goal is to support local businesses.
Interested? Just show up at the Wells Fargo parking lot on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 2:30 p.m. Bring along some cash to "mob" one local business and then celebrate the good you've done.