The Mob is Coming, Homewood

Come April 14, one local business in Homewood is going to get mobbed—with cash.

Homewood resident Kate Duff is the mastermind behind Homewood's first-ever “Cash Mob.” You might recognize her as the smiling lady working the Farmers Market stand (she also blogs on H-F Patch).

“I thought it would be a fun way to support local businesses, something that would complement other efforts like the village's Shop Local campaign and the DHBA's Girls Night Out & Sidewalk Sales but would be driven by residents,” Duff said.

The idea behind a Cash Mob is simple. A group of people is organized through social and traditional media. They commit to congregating at a specific small, local business on a certain date at a certain time. All agree to spend a predetermined minimum amount of money at said specific business. The idea is to boost the local economy, foster community spirit and to simply have fun.

It’s referred to as a “mini-economic stimulus” on the Homewood Cash Mob Facebook page.

While there is an undisputed element of novelty to the event, Duff points out the potential value and impact it could have.

“It's been a really tough few years, for both businesses and residents, but I personally have been encouraged by the sight of new businesses opening up in Homewood and established businesses being able to reinvest in themselves,” Duff said. “Having a strong retail core is one of the features that makes Homewood attractive as a place to live.

“I think the more we invest in ourselves, the more other people will want to live here, the faster we'll pull out of the economic slump and restore our housing prices to where they should be,” she continued. “The Cash Mob movement is a fun way to remind ourselves of the bigger goal here.”

Beyond the 44 residents already committed to going to the first mob, the idea has gotten attention from the village. Trustee Anne Colton recently made the following remarks in an email:

I love the whole idea of Cash Mobs in Homewood. It is a perfect example of how a grassroots endeavor can make a very real difference in our local community. The one thing that is guaranteed to firm up our economy is having people spend money at our downtown businesses, and this is a fantastic way to make that happen. Also, it is a brilliant usage of social media, which is a vital part of the new economy.

Duff is currently asking the community for recommendations for the first mob. Here are some of the current suggestions: 

• Global Fusion

“A lot of these businesses are very supportive of Homewood—they donate to school fundraisers, sponsor sports teams, etc.—and I think residents appreciate what they do and welcome a chance to give back,” Duff said. ”… I think many of us recognize the value of each dollar that's spent in the community instead of leaving it.”

Do you have any suggestions? Leave them in the comment section below and we’ll be happy to pass them along. The selected business will be announced on the day of the event.

And while you’re at it, we strongly encourage you to “like” the Homewood Cash Mob’s Facebook page, if you don’t already. You can (should) also commit to going to the event.

We’ll see you out on April 14!