Cash Mob to Make a Scene at Downtown Hellertown Business

Hellertown’s cash mob has set a new date to surprise one lucky downtown business owner with a flock of business, and they’re looking for new members to join the movement on Wednesday, April 17. Qualifications include a passion for spending money locally and having fun!

Hosted by the Hellertown Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP), the cash mob will meet at 4:30pm at the intersection of Main Street and Thomas Avenue in Hellertown (near Saucon Valley Manor). The mobbers will walk to the secret business destination from there. Anyone is welcome to attend, but all participants are encouraged to spend at least $10.

A cash mob is a growing trend in support of the "shop local, buy local, think local" movement, whereby members of a community come together to shop in a locally-owned establishment to show their support for small business. The "destination" remains a secret (often even to the owners themselves) until mobbers' arrival at the business (which has been pre-chosen by the organizers of the mob). Everyone in the "mob" travels together to the location and is asked to spend a minimum amount of money.

The Hellertown BBRP is requesting the community’s help in spreading the word. Many cash mobs throughout the nation are successful in part due to the information being shared via social media such as Facebook.

The Hellertown Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) coordinated the borough’s first ever cash mob back on Black Friday last year. The surprise destination, to those attending (and to the owners as well), was the gift shop at Lost River Caverns. A dozen people "mobbed" the Caverns' souvenir store that day.

In a thank you letter, Lost River Caverns' owners Robert Gilman and Beverly Rozewicz wrote, "The Cash Mob certainly did help our finances that day and provided a bright spot in the week. It was a nice surprise and a fun event. I hope the publicity of the event helps raise awareness and continues to encourage the 'shop small, shop local' message."

The Hellertown BBRP aims to enhance the sense of place and quality of life in the community—for residents, visitors and business owners. The borough is one of seven participants in the regional BBRP, which was created in 2005 as a designated Main Street program within the State’s Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)—in partnership with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLVCC), the GLVCC Foundation, Lehigh & Northampton Counties, and the participating boroughs.