Last week, Village Beer Merchant was the beneficiary of our #BuffCashMob to the tune of $600 and visits from dozens of new customers. It wasn’t as big a turnout as we had for the first week and based on feedback I’ve received from many of you, we’ll be making some changes.
You told us, we listened. This next round of #BuffCashMob will feature something other than a purveyor of the devil sauce. The votes from the readers determine where we mob, but we’ll try and get to a coffee shop, restaurant, bookstore or retailer; so make your nominations accordingly.
We’ll also be adding a media partner and a few local business organizations to the effort to expand the circle of influence, an announcement is forthcoming.
Most importantly, while this effort was intended to inject some cash and introduce new customers to locally owned businesses, it’s still a tough economy. Asking our readers, friends and extended network to pony up $10 per week for the effort may be a little too much for local wallets. So, the Buffalo Cash Mob will now happen fortnightly (once every two weeks for the readers in Depew).
Going forward, we’ll accept nominations for a full week, announce the winner the following Monday and profile the business throughout that week as we lead up to the #BuffCashMob event. The intent is to increase attendance, provide some marketing support to the local business and allow you people to save your pennies for the event.
So, lets open up the nominations for next week’s event. As I wrote earlier, let’s try and keep it non-alcoholic.
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The Buffalo Record 
I’ve seen that a few people have suggested art-related businesses in past weeks. I’m nominating 464 Gallery at 464 Amherst Street.
The gallery is a double-local whammy in that it is not only a local business, but everything it sells is made by local artists and artisans. In the $10-$20 range, you can find anything from fine-art prints to hand-made mugs, locally-authored books, and screen-printed t-shirts.
464 has been a real pioneer in the revitalization of the Grant-Amherst neighborhood, and if you love the devil-sauce there are plenty of places to get that on Amherst after you support the local arts scene.
*In the interest of openness, my wife is represented by 464 and so I could stand to gain from this nomination. As they say, that’s all you need to know.
Quick question… If you do patronize the business that is selected for the Buffalo Cash Mob, are you supposed to tell one of the store employees that is why you are in the store or is there some sort of sign up sheet at the business? I went to the Village Beer Merchant last week and it would have been nice if the workers mentioned it to me or made it more Buffalo Cash Mob friendly.
I’m actually working on a card to present to the clerks so they know you’re from the Cash Mob.
Tara Gift Shoppe
http://taragiftshoppe.com/mysitecaddy/site3/abouttara.htm
I second the nomination for 464 Gallery! I learned about the gallery back when it opened on Valentine’s Day in 2009; and have since become good friends with Marcus and many of the members of the gallery. Marcus is also the president of ELAB (Emerging Leaders in the Arts Buffalo), a non-profit that helps emerging artists learn, grow, collaborate, and promote. He works incredibly hard every single day, helping others. His gallery is in a historic district that is getting back on its feet. Your dollars will be well-spent at 464.
(Full disclosure: I am a member of the gallery, and the secretary of ELAB.)
I would also like to nominate Taste of Soul on Allen. I had a delicious Rib lunch there and the staff was very friendly. They are a newer restaurant that I am sure would appreciate the business.
Two birds one stone. I would like to nominate Caz Coffee & Dog Ears Bookstore, both in the same building. With school right around the corner time to stock up on those required reading lists for the kids!
Going every other week is a great idea. It helps that those weeks now line up with my paydays.
I’d like to nominate Talking Leaves.
I 3rd the nomination for 464, I’m not affilated with the gallery in any way other than I totally enjoy it. It brings fantastic new ideas to the community. No better place to invest then the local arts.
I would like to contribute to the nominations for 464 Gallery, as I have seen how hard and how dedicated Marcus Wise is to his community of Black Rock, to his artists members, and to his loyal customers. He is someone who makes good things happen, and those good things will ultimately benefit more people than he realizes. Being an art gallery and retail store, it would significantly benefit not only the business itself, but it resident artists who need exposure and support to continue making art.
I also would like to nominate 464 Gallery. It is a great asset to the Buffalo community!
It would hardly be introducing new customers, I’d say, but a hivemind command to visit Talking Leaves on Main St wouldn’t be terrible. Or on Elmwood; damned if I care.
Maybe have one week take nominations, and the top N are put into a poll the next week for people to vote for? You could even use Instant Runoff Voting to rank them; Ethan and I have boners for IRV. I’ve already written a script that will take Google Docs results and calculate the results, in fact.
I would like to nominate the West Side Bazaar for the upcoming Buffalo Cash Mob. It is a launch pad for local entrepreneurs in the Grant-Ferry neighborhood . Their products include crafts and jewelry as well as some very delicious Peruvian food.
I’ll second the nomination for Caz Cafe and Dog Ears Books. Can’t beat a non-profit bookstore!
My suggestion for #BuffCashMob this week is the independent rock and rollers at Spiral Scratch Records, because “Record Store Day” shouldn’t be just once a year.
I’m a new fan of 464 Gallery and I simply love it!!! I nominate them!!
I’d like to second the nomination for the West Side Bazaar. Tasty food and a great place to browse for some interesting jewelry and other hand-made crafts!
I will second the nomination of IRV as the means for tallying the votes, making CashMob also a vehicle for educating peeps about electoral reform.
Also because my pants are splitting… thanks, Dan!
I’d also like to nominate the West Side Bazaar! It’s a 6 for 1! The West Side Bazaar is an incubator for immigrant and refugee owned businesses that are trying to get a support base strong enough to open their own store front.
There is amazing Peruvian food and wares from all over the world.
West Size Bazaar! Good food, fun jewelry, reasonably priced and the merchants are all very friendly and interesting.
Count me in for West Side Bazaar; great way to welcome and encourage these shopkeepers, many of whom are new to this country.
I’d like to nominate 464 Gallery as well. They have been an asset to the local artist community, as well as a pivotal force in revitalizing the Grant/Amherst area of Buffalo. Their vision and efforts should be commended!
I’d like to nominate 464 Gallery.464 is unique in that it creates community. Art and artists build community, foster hope, inspire others and bring people together. Art saves lives-it helps people find their authentic voices and express themselves. Marcus inspires me and has helped me look at my own work constructively. 464 has allowed me to meet other artists, be exposed to their creations as well as opening my eyes to a wonderful new area of the city. I’m eternally grateful.
I’d like to nominate the newly opened “West Side Stories” used bookstore on Grant near Lafayette. What an adorable store, located right next to a greenhouse in the same block as Sweetness 7 Cafe. They have a great selection and prices, and even a little nook with tables and chairs for kids to read at. Cool music adds to the relaxing ambience. Check it out!