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Marietta ‘cash mob’ event brings shoppers to local stores

Allie Ryan, of Marietta, looks over blouse selections at Dad’s Primitive Workbench Monday during Cash Mob Monday. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

MARIETTA — “The owners were 48 years old when they started their store,” hinted Cash Mob Coordinator Charlie Clay to the gathered local crowd of shoppers Monday. “The store used to be a Woolworth’s.”

The hints were for the first store to be “mobbed” this year for the monthly Cash Mob Mondays — American Flags and Poles.

The commitment is a $10 spend in most stores during the event but this year there are some changes coming.

Next month will be the first Story Mob, a night where rather than a spending commitment, local shoppers are invited to merely hear the origin story of three local businesses, whether that be the services they provide, the type of products they offer, or the events they cater to or put on.

“We are going to be hitting almost 40 stores this year on Front, Second, Third and Putnam streets,” explained Clay, who also owns the second stop of the night, Dad’s Primitive Workbench. “And with Story Mobs making their debut you’ll get to learn why a business is here, what they offer and what their story is. Plus we’re doing more ‘Dub Mobs’ where we hit two stores and we will also do a Saturday Mega-Mob.”

Betsey Cook, right, finds Easter chick figures at American Flags and Poles Monday with the aid of Candie Parsons, left, of Vincent, during Cash Mob Monday. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

Monday brought a handful of shoppers into two downtown stores, including two new attendees to the monthly event.

“We need more than the same 10 people coming to these,” said Teri Ann Pfeffer, owner of Teri Ann’s on Front Street. “Hopefully (adding themes) will encourage that.”

Other incentives to get people to shop local are the gift certificates given to first-timers like Betsey Cook, of the Riverside Artists Gallery, and Allie Ryan, 25, of Marietta, who picked up items Monday.

“I always thought it looked fun and Charlie reminded me today that this was happening,” she said as she looked through lawn flags.

Cook found follow-up gifts for her great nieces Monday to reinforce a charitable donation in their name.

“To reinforce what’s happening in with their Christmas present of a flock of chickens in another country,” she explained as she bought several faux chicks from the store. “I’ve been wanting to come to these mobs for a couple months, I’m glad I finally did. It gives us (at the gallery) a chance to know what’s in the other stores too so we can be more informed if someone is looking for a particular thing.”

The event is still sponsored by Marietta Main Street and has a set, though secret, schedule for the year to ensure more stores are visited.

“People are always saying to me that they would love to shop local but don’t know how,” said Clay. “This is a great way to learn what each store has to offer and find out how great they are.”

Local shoppers are invited to bring their friends and family to shop local and the individual who brings the most friends at each event will be awarded with a gift certificate to a downtown shop.

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