It's nice to see that the "cash mob" concept has made its way to Lincoln. The idea is that a group of people "mob" a local business to give them a one-time boost in sales, and hopefully to create a few new repeat customers in the process. It can be a jarring or even destructive activity when done wrong -- a business caught off guard might not perform up to its standards, and a horde of new customers can scare off the regulars -- but when done well, it can make for a pleasant marketing opportunity.
Actually, I'm not so sure that Professor Jeff Mohr's class was in fact the first to pull off the cash mob idea. I can't point to any specifics, but I could swear I've heard of other groups doing similar things around town. Not that it matters who was first, of course. I just have a feeling that somebody out there is stewing over their Cheerios, growling under their breath, "How dare those bastards claim to have been first. I was first!". That person will eventually go on to become a super villain.
The ultimate point of cash mobs is, of course, to get new customers into local businesses. Many Lincolnites will see this article about cash mobs and think "I want to be a part of that!" ... only to sit around waiting for another one to come along. But other than the social aspect of a cash mob event, that attitude misses the point. Go support local businesses today, and tomorrow, and any chance you get. That's more valuable to a local business than mobbing it, anyway. Please do participate in any future cash mobs, but as a supplement to your normal habits, not as a replacement for being a good participant in the local economy.
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I remember reading something around the holidays about Avant Card needing more business or it would have to close its doors. I thought that would be a good opportunity for a cash mob.
I’m thinking Occupy Lincoln did a cash mob for Pepe’s in Havelock sometime last fall. Really, everybody should take more opportunities to go to local stores and restaurants. We have really wonderful places here in Lincoln.
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