Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012

'Cash mob' could descend on Johnston town

Clayton could be the first town in Johnston County to welcome a "cash mob" to one of its stores.

In a cash mob, a group of shoppers descends on a store to spend a certain amount of money there. The idea began in Oakland, Calif., where members of a cash mob spent $20 each at a downtown gift boutique, doubling the store's average income for the day.

In Clayton, downtown development coordinator Bruce Naegelen posted a story about cash mobs on downtownclayton.org. Longtime Clayton resident Jackie Smith responded to the post with a thumbs-up.

"I thought that is something we could really do," said Smith. "A few people came to mind that I would like to get behind it."

Smith said she hopes to hold an organizational meeting soon and then plan for the first Clayton cash mob when the weather is more forgiving.

"My thoughts on doing this would be to get some people that don't normally go downtown to go shopping," Smith said. "I figured we can get enough people familiar with some of the places. There's some people who say they never go to downtown Clayton."

Smith seized the idea because she already makes an effort to shop locally. Successful cash mobs could bring new businesses downtown, she said.

"I would just love to see it grow to the point that we had shops that people would really be drawn to," Smith said. "And if we don't support the ones that are there, we certainly can't get new ones to come in."

Separately in Clayton, the chamber of commerce is orchestrating its own campaign, "Think Clayton. Think Shopping," which will promote local businesses, give away coupons and encourage Clayton residents to buy everything - from health care to hot dogs - locally.

Smith thinks a cash mob could work with the chamber. "I don't want to steal their thunder," Smith said. "I think it's always good when you get a bunch of locals together for a purpose, because that keeps things going."

If all goes according to plan, a group of Clayton residents will gather one day in the spring at Horne Square, carrying $10 each to spend at local shops.

"I don't want everybody to go to the same place, but I want it to be a mob," Smith said. "I want it to be a surprise, like they do the mob singing in the malls.

"I think any of the (downtown shops) could benefit from the exposure of people coming and seeing what they have."