Cash Mob for Zagara's Marketplace this Weekend

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS — Zagara's Marketplace is still calculating the losses incurred from last week's storms and the power outage they caused. A "cash mob" has been organized by customers and neighbors to help the family-owned grocery store out.

Cleveland.com reports that Zagara's was forced to close for several hours on Aug. 10 and 11 and loss off power resulted in throwing away cases of perishable food. Owner John Zagara estimates that the cost of the food thrown away amounted to around $95,000. However, that figure does not include other associated costs such as storing, bagging, stocking, refrigerating, he said.

The storms clobbered the city of Cleveland Heights with around 10,000 customers losing power for days in some areas. Zagara's Marketplace did the best they could do keeping lights on and registers running with backup generators, but by the time the power came back on, Zagara said he didn't feel comfortable selling most of the perishable food.

According to cleveland.com, Justin Alcorn, a regular Zagara's shopper created a Facebook event page for the cash mob. The event is scheduled for Saturday at 8 AM - 9 AM.

Zagara's Cash Mob

"It's been reported that Zagara's Marketplace has lost up to $90,000 in the power outage after last week's storm, and that insurance will not cover it all. While we can't make up that amount, we can show how much we appreciate the Zagara family's commitment to Cleveland Heights through their generosity and willingness to help. Join us for a "Cash Mob" at 8:00am on Saturday August 20, 2016. We want hundreds of people to be lined up at opening time to show the family that Cleveland Heights considers them our neighbors and friends. Arrive before 8:00am. I would suggest going and buying just a couple of items so we can get the "Cash Mob" in and out and hopefully not inconvenience regular shoppers - and also be sure to do your regular shopping there at another time."

Image courtesy of Zagara's Marketplace