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(Photo: Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce)

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- You've heard of flash mobs, where a big crowd meets at a certain place and time to perform a song or dance.

Now there are "cash mobs," dedicated to helping local businesses. And they're mobbing in the Valley.

"The idea came up as a way of promoting some of the businesses that are having a hard time during the struggling economy," said Kerwin Brown, president of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber decided to hold its first cash mob last Tuesday at Get Sassy Beauty Supply in Chandler.

"We put the word out through social media and our other contacts that we were going to all converge on this one business on one day and commit to spending at least $15," said Brown.

The store was chosen because the strip mall it's in is recovering from a recent fire. Brown said 50 people showed up and spent cash, with many more buying at least $15 worth of merchandise on the store's website.

Shop owner Vanessa Young was left with a lot of cash.

"As [Young] said, there's no way her receipts would have looked this good during the middle of the week if we hadn't done this for her," said Brown.

The target of the chamber's next cash mob is an ice cream shop in Old Town Scottsdale.

Bob McClay, Reporter

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    wrote...
    That's actually
    a pretty cool idea. Encouraging people to spend money locally and introduce the public to local shops. If you know where they are going ahead of time, you can check the store out and decide if they have products you'd be interested in. Something positive is nice.
  • Abuse
    pleasegoalllocal wrote...
    ATTN Cash Mob!!
    I'm having a garage sale this Saturday!!! I'm sure there will be something for everyone!!
  • Abuse
    Therapeutic Retreat wrote...
    Therapeutic Retreat-Locally owned massage business
    I'd love to have a Cash Mob day here! This is a fantastic idea. I truly appreciate your ingenuity in creating such a unique event that will spur business and create awareness of local businesses that are not franchises! I can offer 90-minute sessions for $69.99, 60-minute sessions for $49.99, Gift Certificates and doTERRA Essential Oils. Also, Enhancements to a massage of hot stones, aromatherapy and reflexology for only $15 each. Call me at 480-626-6200 so we can set this up ;-) 8058 S. Priest Dr., Ste 101, 1/2 block SW of Costco in Tempe Marie
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