What is a Cash Mob?
Most of you know by now that I’ve relocated from Tennessee to the coast of North Carolina. And I’m sure you’ve heard me whine plenty enough about being homesick. So enough already (or at least until the next blog!). When I arrived here, I decided to follow the Southport/Oak Island Chamber of Commerce on facebook to keep up with local events. Since I’m mostly an introvert among crowds of people, it’s difficult for me to put myself out there. Not only that, I have a hard time establishing roots in a new place. However, if I ever intend to live here full time, I should attempt to make some good connections. Otherwise, you’ll hear me whining more and more about missing my friends. Last week, the Chamber organized Southport’s first ever Cash Mob! I didn’t know exactly what it was per se, but it looked like a good opportunity to flex my I’m-shy-around-people-I-don’t-know-muscle. So I signed up.
For those of you who don’t know, the purpose of a cash mob is to bring money into the local business sector.
We weren’t told where we would be going, but we had to agree to spend at least $20 in whatever store they took us to. Thirteen of us met on the corner of Howe and Moore Street in Southport. If you don’t know much about Southport, it’s a charming, quaint little town chock-full of specialty and antique shops and unique restaurants. There’s also a waterfront park there full of swings and I can waste an entire day just sitting there and watching the boats pass me by. Once we all introduced ourselves, the leader of the group, carrying a blanket made to look like a million-dollar bill, led us to the secret location. The Ricky Evans Gallery. Ricky is a self-taught pen-and-ink artist and he has created some beautiful work! The gallery boasts walls and walls of his work, from framed prints, to note cards, and everything in between. He was even there to greet us and let us know there were cookies randomly placed on trays in some of the rooms! It was almost like a scavenger hunt! We all had a great time and each of us came out with some pretty awesome finds!
After our shopping excursion, we took a walk down to Fishy-Fishy Café to enjoy dinner and drinks together.
Fishy-Fishy is an eclectic little restaurant and bar located directly on the waterfront which also makes it accessible by boat. The café offers lunch and dinner and boasts several dining areas. One is air-conditioned, and there are several outdoor areas to sit in as well. Their menu consists of seafood, burgers, salads, and yummy appetizers. Their drink menu is rather extensive. While I didn’t find it to be the tastiest food I’d ever had, it was still pretty good! But the real draw to Fishy-Fishy is the amazing view of the sunset over the water. It truly cannot be beaten. I like the view so much that I’ve been back twice since the cash mob gathering just to watch the sun go down!
While a cash mob is certainly intended to bring money into local businesses, the social aspect is part of it as well.
I’m all for shopping local, no doubt. We all spent more than $20 at the gallery, but it was also a super way to meet new people. Especially considering I’m living in a place where my nearest friend is an hour away in Wilmington. The mob was such a success, that the Chamber is going to start making it a monthly thing! I’m looking forward to the next one. If you have an opportunity in your area to participate in one, I’d highly recommend it. Check your local Chamber of Commerce to see if they offer one. You’ll not only be helping local business owners, you’ll also have a great time doing it!
Til next time, stay sassy!
Interesting read! Thanks for the information about cash mob. I will make findings in my area and possibly participate once I find any. Regards.
“We have a yearly event where I live where all the people in the area host different things and a percentage of what everyone makes collectively goes to charity. I have actually gotten a few ideas reading this. I feel like anything that will help out people be it for business or charity, it is worth the effort!”
I’ve had a great time doing it and I’ve met some awesome friends in the process 🙂
“What a terrific idea! I’m definitely going to recommend it to our Chamber of Commerce. I come from a fairly small city in California, and something like this would be great. In fact, you did such a great job in this article, including the pictures and all, that I might just print out a copy and show it to them. We do have some similar events tied into our biannual “”Wine Trail,”” as we grow a lot of wine grapes in the area and tie in local businesses to those events. But the Cash Mob sounds really fun. Great photography, by the way. I love the sunsets! 🙂
“It is so much fun! I went to my second one a couple weeks ago and was taken to a store I’ve never been to before! I never just spend $20, though! The stores give us a 20% discount, so I usually spend a little more. This time, I spent $92 (yikes!), but i love the idea of supporting a local business! Let me know how yours turns out if you can talk your local Chamber into doing it!”
I had never even heard of a cash mob! Interesting!
“If you ever get the chance to go, Mandy, I would encourage it! It’s a great way to support local/small business and have fun doing it! Thanks for stopping in!”
Provision company which is on the same strip as fishy fishy and also has a great outside seating area. It is also a great location to catch the setting sun! I actually would prefer to enjoy my evening at Pro. Co. It’s a local family run operation and has been in many major magazine for its uniqueness and food quality!! The menu ranges from a awesome burger to freshly caught local seafood! Most recently in Better Homes and Gardens. A articlethat suggested that they were one of the top 100 dive restaurants in the USA. It’s a must for visitors and also can find a great local crowd there in the off season! Love your blog and welcome to Southport!! I did want to correct you in one area of your blog though! I know it’s been a minute since we last communicated but I still would consider you my friend!! Bryan
“Hi Bryan! And thanks for recommending Provision Company. Unfortunately, it doesn’t open until March, and besides, I didn’t get to pick the place haha! Nice to hear from you. Take good care!”