Cash mob hits Rochester on Thursday

Posted at: 01/11/2012 6:43 AM | Updated at: 01/11/2012 11:37 PM
By: Thalia Hayden | WHEC.com

It rhymes with flash mob, but there's no dancing involved. It's called a "cash mob"- and it's happening right here in Rochester tomorrow.

Janice Gouldthrope is the organizer of Rochester's very first cash mob. She says it worked so well in other cities that she wanted to give it a try here.

"I think it's important that people know what local businesses we have here, and sometimes it's hard for them to advertise on a small business budget," she says.

Here's how it works- Gouldthorpe used social media sites like Facebook to have people vote on the local business where they'd most prefer to spend their money. Over 900 people voted.

The concept of the cash mob is to have shoppers show up at the local store at a specific time and spend a lot of cash. So tomorrow, the lucky store will be Thread on South Avenue.

Manager Sarah Eichas says this couldn't have come at a better time. She says the economy has taken a toll on sales. Eichas says she's confident that once shoppers come through the door on Thursday, they'll like what they see- and come back again.

Much of Thread's merchandise is made by local artists- items that are one of a kind.

Gouldthorpe says if things go well tomorrow, she'll definitely plan another cash mob soon. She says she sees it as a winning plan for everyone.

If you're interested in being a part of tomorrow's cash mob, show up at Thread on South Avenue between 1 and 4 p.m. Organizers ask that shoppers spend 10 dollars or more.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news, visit our website www.whec.com 

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