YIPPIEs Plan "Cash Mob" for Local Business

Some lucky Issaquah business is about to get mobbed. 

A newly created taskforce of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce is planning Issaquah’s first-ever “Cash Mob” to support a lucky local business. The event will take place on Monday, April 16, at 11 a.m. 

A recently formed group of Chamber members, known as Young Issaquah Professionals - or YIPPIES - has taken action in order to bring what has become a nation-wide phenomenon to Issaquah.

A Cash Mob is a group of people who congregate at a locally-owned business and infuse their collective cash into the local merchant’s register. The day, time and location of a Cash Mob are conveyed via social media and the mobbers are simply required to show up, have a good time and shop.  In most cases, Mobbers are asked to spend around $20 each, but any amount will do.  Several mobs around the country have reported over $1,500 contributed in just over an hour of mobbing.

According to a Reuters article published by the Huffington Post, the concept was dreamed up last year by Cleveland lawyer Andrew Samtoy, who was distressed at the sometimes undesirable effects spawned by another social media phenomenon, the "Flash Mob." It's similar to the idea of Small Business Saturday, in which shoppers pledge to patronize locally owned businesses, but it's even more focused, targeting one business in a small window of time on one day for a cash infusion.

The newly formed YIPs were looking for a way to positively affect the local business community in a way that draws in social-media saavy young professionals, Perea said.

“The group sought an idea that was unique, energetic and added value to the community and to our chamber members” said Nathan Perea, Director of Membership Development for the Issaquah Chamber. “For local businesses, an infusion of commerce like this can really go the extra mile.”

The YIP Group will evaluate a list of local businesses each month and decide which one they’d like to recognize by committee vote, Perea said. Ideally the business would be independent, locally owned businesses where shoppers can afford to purchase an item for somewhere in the neighborhood of $20.  The group members will have their eyes and ears open around town for great candidate businesses.

The Young Issaquah Professionals are led by chairwoman Audrey Slade, of Meadow Creek Business Center. 

“The Cash Mob is a tool that this generation is using to accomplish a variety of tasks:  Supporting local business, creating meaningful connections through commerce and building buzz for our community,” Slade said.

The first Cash Mob will take place on Monday, April 16, at 11 a.m., but the name of the lucky local merchant to be mobbed has not been released.

“People who want to take part in our first mob and future mobs can like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to find out where we’ll be. It’s going to be exciting to announce our first merchant,” Perea said.