Cash Mob Decends on Local Store
One man in an Ohio suburb organized what has become to be known as a "cash mob" to offer support to a local store which has been in operation for more than a century.
Chagrin Falls resident James Black came up with the idea because he wanted to show support for the Main Street store amid a time where more and more small and independently owned business are suffering or closing their doors completely because too many "big box" stores have lured away customers with cheaper prices.
Black sent out an email on Jan. 14 to his friends, asking them to show up Jan. 21 and spend at least $20 at Chagrin Hardware which is downtown on North Main Street, according to WKYC.
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Chagrin Hardware opened under its first owners in 1857 and has been a model of consistency for the town for 155 years.
Black's e-mail quickly spread on social media sites, Facebook and through private emails in this tight community which is located just outside of Cleveland and which is also regarded as an artist colony and part bedroom community.
Chad Schron, 38, came with his 8-year-old son Robert. "We didn't have anything we had to get, but we found things we had to get," he told AP.
It is currently owned by brother's Ken and Jack Shutts and their sister, Susie. The stores only other employee is Rob Schwind, and he has been there for over 60 years.
"This is so cool. I've seen people today I haven't seen in years," said Steve Shutts. "What a place to live."
"These are good people who needed our support," Black says. "It's just that simple."
By 10 a.m. on Saturday, reports state the line was already extending down the street. And by 1:30 p.m., the credit card machine was overloaded and had to be reset, the AP reports.
