Local businesses to get 'cash mobbed' with community support

Local businesses dealing with increased utility costs through a recent AEP hike are getting support from a strong and dedicated source: Their community. 

Hillsboro resident Christy Kerley has started a "cash mob" initiative where area customers "shop local" in an intense way, focusing on one business a day and lending their spending support. 

Kerley said that she is hoping that area residents, "as a community, step up and support our community. I went out and visited businesses, and every Saturday we are going to 'bless a business' in town with business. Imagine if 400 people go into a business on that Saturday and spend $15 at that business. You will have $6,000 dollars spent in the business in one day. That could be a record-breaking day. It introduces our town to the gems that we have in the community. I am in no way being paid or asked by anyone to do this. I am randomly picking businesses and blessing them." 

There is no formula for choosing the businesses, Kerley said. She has begun picking them at random, and some have "signed up" to participate.

The initiative also encourages people to "go out to see what this town offers, and each person reaching into their pockets to bless them," Kerley said. "What a difference it will make, and we can do this. We can bring our town back to what it was: a thriving community filled with love, kindness and, most of all, great people."

Brent Huffman, owner of Beech Street on Main and Beech Street Candleworks, is the first local business owner to get "mobbed," Saturday, Feb. 18.

"I think it is great," Huffman said. "I think it is so great that we have neighbors in our community who are looking out for small business owners."

Huffman said that after being confronted with a 150-percent increase in his AEP electric bill, the extra traffic to his store is especially welcome. 

"I think the AEP rate increases have really opened people's eyes because it scared people," Huffman said. "It's a real strain on business, and then when everyone else opened their bills and saw huge increases, it affects their local spending habits."

Huffman said that he is especially appreciative that a local resident decided to start the project. 

"I thought is was really nice of Christy to start this," he said. "It's nice coming from an individual, not a business organization. It's coming from a customer and someone in the community who cares about the community. We've had customers come in the past few days who we haven't seen in the last six months. It is increasing awareness in shopping local." 

As Huffman was speaking to The Highland County Press, a customer shopping at Beech Street on Main offered her opinion on the store and shopping local. 

"It's nice to have stores that sell things that aren't made in China," said Theresa Raisch. "I mean it. It's so nice, and that is becoming more and more important to people. I'm grateful to be able to come into local businesses." 

The community support and familiarity is exactly why Huffman said he chose to open a business in his hometown of Hillsboro after moving back from Chicago. 

"There are all kinds of towns around, but in my hometown, that is where people supported me," he said. "They are excited to hear about the design work I did in Chicago, and they supported me coming out with Beech Street Candleworks, and then the store. I can't say 'thank you' enough for the support I've had. There is just something about a hometown and the people you grow up with. They know you and support you. It's just overwhelming." 

Kerley said, "There is plenty more to come, and I am always open to hearing from anyone who wants their business to be 'mobbed.' For the citizens who are wondering why I am doing this, I want to show the city that we, as a community, are here to stay. We want our town to grow and thrive and think about this. Go out, shop and have fun. And most of all, mingle in town. You might be surprised at what you find."

Kerley said that she is also hoping to spread the "cash mob" to local charities. 

"I am randomly picking random charities to bless on Tuesdays through the month," she said. "Each charity is picked randomly and blessed. They must be a 501(c)(3) charity, and they must be in Highland County. I am taking names, and each week a different charity will be featured. With that being said, the first charity I picked is the Support Our Troops of Highland County. They will be the first recipients of the blessing, and people simply make a cash donation of $15, or whatever they can afford, to that charity that week."

The following is a list of businesses who are currently scheduled to be "Cash Mobbed":

• Feb. 18 is Beech Street on Main from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Feb. 25 is Merle Norman on High Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• March 3 is EAT in Hillsboro from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  

• March 10 is the Shabby Moose on North High Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• March 17 is Slow and Low Barbecue from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. They are located on North High Street across from Tractor Supply.

• March 24 is TwentyFour eXchange on West Main Street.