Flash Cashers Shaker Heights Has Roots in a Play Group

The precursor for Shaker Heights’ new cash mob was a modern twist on a play group that Jennifer Lehner runs for parents in Shaker Heights.

 “When it’s a beautiful day, and your kids have jumped on the trampoline and they’ve gone swimming and you’ve done everything you can to entertain them and they have the nerve to tell you they’re bored,” she puts the call out for a “Flash Fun” event, she said.

Within an hour, her three kids are happily playing a pick-up game of kickball.

It all started last fall, when it occurred to her that it’s nearly impossible for her and fellow parents to plan a play date in advance, but have access to instant communication via email.

And the words “I’m bored” fall on any parent’s ears like nails on a chalkboard.

So she asked around and, in just a few months, has built a “Flash Fun” email list up to around 100 families. Just last weekend, she said, she sent out the virtual smoke signal, and within an hour had a soccer game and swap meet going at Horseshoe Lake Park.

Now, she’s harnessing this list to benefit some local business owners.

She started the Heights Flash Cashers, a small business flash mob. Lehner will send out notice to her mailing list every few weeks about the next impromptu gathering, where customers flock to one local business and pledge to spend at least a few dollars.

“One day of sales won’t make much of a difference, but if you really like it, you’ll come back and tell your friends,” said Lehner.

Lehner has been out of the 9-to-5 world since her first son was born 12 years ago, but said that she’s been working in “social entrepreneurism” for a couple of years now.

In addition to the community-building flash mobs, she’s involved in the PTO at Shaker Schools and worked in the non-profit sector before she became a stay-at-home mom.

“Some of my most rewarding, valuable and relevant positions, where I really learned a lot of skills, have been since I was employed,” she said.

Shaker Heights’ first Flash Cashers event is this Thursday at the Cleveland Running Company in the Van Aken Shopping Plaza. Customers are asked to spend at least a few dollars — $20 is suggested — between 3 and 6 p.m. The store is offering $15 off each pair of regular priced running shoes, “in addition to some other great surprise discounts.” 

To sign up for future Flash Cashers events, to suggest a business or to vote on the next cash mob, visit their website.

And if you’re a Shaker Heights resident with kids and are interested in Lehner’s Flash Fun events, email Nikki.Ferrell@patch.com.