Marietta’s Cash Mobs: Shopping Small, Making a Big Difference
Vicki Ayers is a Cash Mob regular and a loyal supporter of downtown businesses
For over a decade, Cash Mobs have been a staple in Marietta for loyal, local shoppers. The concept is simple – meet at a designated location, guess which local business is going to be mobbed, and commit to spending a minimum of $10 at the chosen shop.
I attended my first Cash Mob in 2012. More than thirty of us met in Harmar Village before mobbing what was then Whipple’s Whimsical Toys. Our mob crowded into the train, delighted to spend $10 on nostalgic toys. After shopping, we gathered at Spagna’s for drinks and to vote on where we’d like to mob next.
While Cash Mobs have evolved over the years, they have remained a fun and spontaneous way to support local businesses. This Marietta Main Street program is estimated to inject approximately $5,000 directly into the local economy annually.
“Cash Mobs are a powerful reminder that small actions can have a big impact,” said Jen Tinkler, Executive Director of Marietta Main Street. “They turn customers into advocates and create lasting momentum for small businesses that are the heart of our local economy.”
Although ten dollars doesn’t sound like much, it can mean a great deal to a local small business. Ten dollars goes a lot farther, too, in the hands of a local business owner than it would in the pocket of a franchise CEO. Our local business owners are more likely to put that money right back into our community, whether it’s donated to a service project, invested in our banks, or given to another merchant. For every ten dollars spent, seven dollars stay right here, making a real difference in our community.
“Aside from the busy holiday seasons, most small businesses experience the highs and lows of factors they can’t control, from weather to the economy to the increasing cost of goods,” said Laura Pytlik, owner of Wit & Whimzy and Marietta Main Street Board Member. “A seemingly small event like a Cash Mob has a positive impact on the businesses being mobbed – they experience a boost in that week’s revenue and they feel supported by the community in which they invest their own dollars.”
Cash aside, the mobs are a great way to explore a new shop or business that you are unfamiliar with, expanding your knowledge of what is available right here in our own little town.
“We have so many great, unique businesses in downtown Marietta, and people often say they mean to visit a new shop but haven’t yet,” said Pytlik. “Cash Mobs are a great incentive to join a group of like-minded people and perhaps discover a new (to you) business and meet the owner and staff. Most participants are pleasantly surprised to see the vast array of products available in our Marietta shops and boutiques.”
Marietta’s Cash Mobs are become a testament to the power of small, intentional actions. With just ten dollars and a sense of community, these gatherings inject thousands into the local economy, support small business owners, and introduce shoppers to the unique stores that make downtown Marietta special. More than just a financial boost, Cash Mobs foster a culture of advocacy for local businesses, turning casual customers into loyal patrons. When we shop local, we all thrive.
Find more information about upcoming Cash Mobs on the Marietta Main Street Facebook Page! Cash Mobs are typically the third Tuesday of the month. To participate, simply meet up at Gateway Park at the corner of Front and Butler Streets at 5:30 pm that day and commit to spending $10!