Cash Mobs a Great Way to Help Small Businesses
Knoxville, TN – One good thing that Tim Burchett has done as Knox County mayor is to institute cash mobs (crowds shopping at designated small businesses), not to be confused with flash mobs (choreographed dancing by a crowd of people). Cash mobbing is a great idea and a meaningful opportunity for us to help small businesses survive. Many people talk about the need to support small businesses but bypass the establishments on the way to larger stores to get a bargain. Politicians tell us that small businesses are key to America’s economic growth and sustainability.
I started my personal cash mob years ago, before it had a title. I was tired of giving my money to the big markets that did not return my dollars to the communities I served. I made an effort to buy from entrepreneurs, including my friends who had craft and jewelry businesses. I started going to Judy Gardner’s Silk Purse shop, smaller stores, specialty shops, boutiques and mom-and-pop stores. More recently, I shared my loot with the Sole in the City Shoe Store in Bearden (sometimes expensive, but worth it because I can find cute, low-heeled, durable shoes). My small-business hairdresser is Brenda Bishop on Magnolia Avenue. I have supported her business for more than 30 years. Unfortunately (though they had excellent products), some of the small shops I used to support have gone out of business because of economic reasons or ownership failures.
