LE MARS, IA -
A group of people in Le Mars put on their walking shoes and had their wallets open today.
A new phenomenon called "Cash Mobs" is spreading across the country, changing the way people get to know local retail businesses.
People in Le Mars "mobbed" one downtown business, but no crime was actually committed.
It was a friendly mob.
The owner of the store said he's never seen that many people in the store at one time, which is very exciting for him and his business.
"It's encouraging people to support small retail, you know, to show their appreciation that that independent person is still willing to have a good strong business and in Le Mars, we're very lucky we have a lot of strong stores," said Mary Reynolds, Main Street Manager for the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce.
Dick Kirchoff, the mayor of Le Mars, picked one lucky store out of a basket. And then, one by one, the mob walked down to Rust's Western Boot and Shoe Repair.
Close to 55 people participated in the cash mob, and each person that was involved had to spend at least 20 dollars at the store.
And the owner of the store, Bob Rust, didn't really expect to be chosen, until his wife called with good news.
"It was kind of a panic mode at first, but it really shows that there are people that are supportive of our downtown small businesses and I think this is the awareness of that, so it's really cool," he said.
Today's cash mob will really help Bob's bottom line. If 55 people showed up, and had to spend at least $20, he's guaranteed to make at least $1100.
But Bob says he's making even more than that.
"I see a lot of people purchasing more than the $20," he said.
The cash mob will continue in Le Mars for the next four months, and will include all small business and restaurants in the Ice Cream Capital of the World.
For more information you can visit: www.cashmob.com
