NORWICH – Local shoppers will be flocking to Ms. B’s Warehouse at 10:30 a.m. Saturday to “mob” the store as the first ever Chenango County Cash Mob gets underway.
The Chenango County Cash Mob, organized and launched by the Norwich Business Improvement District and Commerce Chenango, has been in the works all month. The idea is to gather a large group of people to one business at the same time, on the same day, to purchase items in support of the business and the community, explained BID Director Roz DeRensis.
Earlier this month, merchants in the city’s downtown were nominated to be “mobbed” and for the past two weeks, anyone has been able to vote for which store would be mobbed using an online voting poll promoted via social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter.
After all votes were tallied, it was clear that Mrs. B’s Warehouse and Consignment Shop at 16 American Avenue was a favorite among voters, with Thymely Treasures on South Broad coming in a close second place, falling only 11 votes behind. More than 500 votes were counted for 11 nominated businesses in downtown Norwich – an astounding number for the first attempt at a cash mob, noted Rebecca Sands, economic development coordinator for Commerce Chenango. “This just goes to show how social media can be so beneficial to promote your market,” Sands said, citing efforts of Ms. B’s Warehouse to utilize Facebook to drum up voter support. “The Chenango Cash Mob encourages the community to support local retailers, as well as creates a great opportunity for community members and local retailers to develop relationships with each other. I’m really excited about all the participation so far and hope to see a great turn out of ‘mobbers’ on Saturday.”
“Although it’s an informal happening, there are three simple rules for Cash Mobbers,” added DeRensis. “One: try to spend $10 at the business; two: Meet three new people; and three: Have fun.”
According to Ms. B’s owner Christine Babcock, the cash mob campaign has been a way for all downtown retailers to really market their businesses; being dubbed the winner of the first cash mob is nothing short of an honor, she said. “This has been good for local small businesses ... I’m hoping to see a big turnout,” she said.
Babcock opened the doors of Ms. B’s for the first time in November 2010, not knowing what to expect for her new business venture. Since then, what began as a crafts shop has grown into a massive retail outlet of antiques and vintage items, used clothing, and a home for several consignors that draw in new customers every day.
Said DeRensis, “Given that a consignment shop was chosen as our first location to have a cash mob is great. I hope that through the efforts of this mob and others in the future, local businesses like Ms. B’s Warehouse and Consignment Shop can gain some new customers.”