BR Foodie: It’s All About Main Street

One of the reasons I fell in love with Del Ray and eventually moved here from the city is the small-town atmosphere and focus on Main Street USA. I know a lot of other residents have that same pride in Del Ray and its local businesses.

We aren’t alone.

Nationally the campaign for keeping dollars local is picking up steam and this Saturday is National Cash Mob Day. We might not have time to organize one for this weekend, but we can cross the river and support businesses in Washington, D.C., since many of us work or play there while living in Del Ray. 

This Saturday, the District is uniting for one hour to form a "cash mob" led by Stacey Price. She is asking locals to arm themselves with $20 to make a large combined economic impact on one lucky local business owner. I will be curious to see what PR the “chosen” location does before the event and what customer-service tactics will be conducted after the event to turn the short-term stunt into long-term impact. Hopefully they will also raise some revenue during that hour as well!

What is a cash mob?

“Think flash mob but more social and less artsy,” says Price. “First started by Buffalo, N.Y., blogger Chris Smith last August, cash mobs are a nationwide community-based phenomenon, primarily organized through social media, in which groups of people gather on an appointed date and time to “mob,” or support, a local business. Participants must agree to spend at least $20 at the chosen location. In turn, the business must be locally-owned and supportive of the community.” 

The organization is positioning this campaign as the anti-Groupon which from a messaging standpoint I don’t agree with, as I think small business owners can maximize Groupon if they had a plan in place before setting the coupon level and thresholds. 

“Not only are we offering the business some additional daily revenue by creating a mob we are giving businesses that may or may not have a marketing budget the easiest promotion and media opportunity that they can find,” says Price. “And unlike other efforts to attract consumers to local business, this one does not have a discount attached.”

I wonder if Del Ray’s small businesses have a Groupon strategic plan? Here are five tips.   

How do you participate?

1. RSVP on Facebook to get the location. The location is not announced until 9:30 a.m. the morning of the mob. 

2. Arrive with $20 in hand to spend fully on one or more items.

3. Spread the word to your friends, colleagues and family. If you believe in the campaign you can really help them spread the word!

Learn more about Think Local First DC and how it will select the cash mob business on its blog.