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Uploaded: Wednesday, August 8, 2012, 5:49 AM
Updated: Saturday, August 11, 2012, 7:00 AM
'Cash mob' will be in downtown Pleasanton starting at 6 p.m.tonight
New movement aimed at stimulating local economy
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by Jeb Bing
Pleasanton Weekly Staff
Pleasanton's first "Cash Mob" will take over downtown streets starting at 6 p.m. tonight as part of a new national movement to support local businesses and strengthen communities.
Laura Olson, executive director for the Pleasanton
Downtown Association (PDA), which is sponsoring the event, said that instead of singing and dancing, Cash Mobbers join together and each spends $20 (or more!) at a local business.
"Cash Mobs are taking place in communities throughout our country and are a great way to provide economic stimulus to our downtown businesses while engaging the community and helping locals get to know our downtown even better," Olson said.
"Our Cash Mob aims to engage participants with the 'buy local' message and ensure they have a great time doing it," she added. "We're informing people about how their $20 purchase goes a long way to improve the quality of life in downtown Pleasanton."
Those wanting to join the Cash Mob should meet PDA staff members in front of the Museum on Main, 603 Main St., at 6 p.m. Saturday. The PDA will then announce the businesses selected by random draw for the Cash Mob. All participants will walk to the business together and have fun shopping and getting to know that business.
Cash Mob will be taking place during the PDA's Sizzling Saturday when many downtown businesses will be open until 9 p.m. and numerous businesses and restaurants will be offering specials or discounts between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
For more information, visit the PDA's Facebook page or call the PDA at (925) 484-2199.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Mike, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Aug 9, 2012 at 10:43 pm This sounds like a fantastic idea. It's easy to join in, the walk will do everybody good, and the money businesses save on advertising could easily translate into a higher downtown QOL.
I've got another idea. How about an "Adopt-A-Group-Of-Businesses" program?
Here's how it works:
You ask people to "adopt" a group of five businesses selected by the PDA and commit to spending 20+ dollars per week at each of the "adopted" businesses.
Of course, individuals could be given the option of adding on to the group selected by the PDA for an additional "adoption fee". Some may want the option to choosing their own businesses; but I think such an option should be discouraged as being too similar to the old-fashioned "free-market" program, which placed the burden on individual businesses to attract customers with products that matched customer needs, outstanding customer service, and competitive pricing.
But no matter what the PDA comes up with, "Let's get ourselves out of the house and our money out of our pockets" to help improve the quality of life in downtown Pleasanton!
See you there!
Mike
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Posted by local shopper, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Aug 10, 2012 at 9:10 am Please do not think of shopping locally as meaning only Downtown Pleasanton and Main Street. There are many wonderful and long time LOCAL shops and businesses in Pleasanton that do not fall into the 'chain store' category. Think about your lovely 'not national' shopping centers like Hopyard Village and the Raley's Oak Hills Shopping Center when taking care of everyday purchases...a jewelry repair, picking up pet food and/or supplies...think about how to help these businesses thrive and maintain their uniqueness in our community. We want other businesses to 'choose' Pleasanton as a place to open their next shop or store!
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Posted by PtownNative, a resident of the Stoneridge neighborhood, on Aug 10, 2012 at 3:29 pm Hey Mike
You said:
"the 'old-fashioned' free market program"
?????? WHAT ??????
That's what this country was built on!
That works and always will!
Businesses that don't do well, don't do well for a reason.
You have to work hard and don't look for hand-outs or the lottery.
That equals= good products and good service.
Your way allows people to offer nothing and expect something.
Are you a 'real' socialist?
Sure sounds like it.
You must be new here.
Go back to where you came from.
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Posted by downtown shopper already, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Aug 11, 2012 at 9:51 am Sorry, with my luck the store would be the doggie place. I really don't care to be drooled on by the dogs hanging out in there and not having pets would make that a real waste of time and money.
Nice idea but what about all of the other stores that do not get picked? And just how "random" is the drawing -- the store that pays the highest fee happens to get picked? A little too much potential for stuffing the ballot box as it were.
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Posted by Mike, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Aug 11, 2012 at 2:32 pm PtownNative,
I suspect that you missed the sarcasm in my post.
Mike
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Posted by downtown shopper already, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Aug 12, 2012 at 11:04 am OK, Towne Center Books is a nice place. However, am I the only one who wonders about just how the "random" drawing was done? The owner of Towne Center Books is a former president of the PDA and a long time member and downtown business owner. I hope that my suspicions are wrong that there was any sort of pre-determined winner here.
Great idea but how many times can the PDA go to the residents and ask them to spend $20 or more in a "random" store? Seems like only one or two stores at most will benefit from this mob.
When will the city realize that a Main Street shopping district that is filled with banks, botox parlors and nail salons will never have enough appeal to be a shopping destination?
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