Elmwood Avenue Cash Mob – 6/13/13 5PM

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Do you like social media? Are you someone who digs doing cool stuff with cool people? Do you love supporting local small business?  If so, welcome to a very special edition of the Buffalo Cash Mob to be held during the 2013 BALLE Conference!

Not sure what a CashMob is?  Well, click here for the background. In short, we gather 50-100 people to “mob” a business and spend $10-20 each. No coupons, no gimmicks, just shopping with a purpose. It allows you to meet the retailer, spend some time, build a relationship, and have a good time.

Cash mobs were born in Buffalo back in August of 2011 as a simple idea to generate support for local small business. Since the first event, we’ve held over a dozen cash mobs in Buffalo and generated over $70,000 in cash for Buffalo business owners. The idea of cash mobs quickly became a global phenomenon with events being held in over 500 cities spread across six continents, resulting in over $700,000 being spent at locally owned establishments. The movement has been profiled in media big and small, including NPR, NBC News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine.

More importantly, cash mobs have raised awareness about the importance of buying local and have driven media exposure for plucky entrepreneurs in cities across the world.

So, to celebrate the 2013 BALLE Conference, what better way to show off Buffalo then to invite the conference attendees to mingle with Buffalonians at some of our fantastic locally owned businesses?

This time, we won’t just be visiting one business, we’ll be supporting an entire block of businesses located on one of our most vital urban corridors, Elmwood Avenue!  On Thursday night, starting at 5PM and running until 7PM, we’ll be throwing the biggest cash mob in history, spanning Elmwood Avenue from Breckenridge Street to the Lexington Co-operative Market. Businesses that will benefit include The Blue Monk, Annie Adams Jewelry, Community Beer Works, Buffalo Fleece & Outerwear, Shoefly, The Treehouse Toy Store, Everything Elmwood, Positively Main Street, and dozens more (click here for a full listing of businesses). It will be a great night filled with music, fun, shopping and the best that Elmwood has to offer.

Music promoter and all around awesome guy, Seamus Gallivan from The Good Neighborhood has organized an awesome lineup of music for the night. Each establishment along this strip of Elmwood will host a performer to plus up the party atmosphere.

Abraham’s Jewelers, 798 Elmwood – Pamela Ryder

Artisans’ Hands, 754 Elmwood – Eliza Schneider

Buffalo Fleece & Outerwear, 758 Elmwood – Tom Stahl

Campus Wheelworks, 744 Elmwood – Folkfaces

Globe Market, 762 Elmwood – Ahavaraba

Lexington Co-op, 807 Elmwood – Shaky Stage

Reimagine, 732 Elmwood – Larkin Plan

Scoop Shop, 648 Auburn – John Martz

Second Chic, 810 Elmwood – Brad Gower (followed by 9pm poetry slam)

Thin Ice, 719 Elmwood – Mike Doktor’s Medicine Man Cigar Box Guitars

Urban Threads, 736 Elmwood, Evan Thompson

7-10pm

Lexington Co-op, 807 Elmwood – The Andrew J. Reimers Country-Punk Extravaganza & The Screaming Jeans

Let’s show a nation of localists that no city supports their local small business like Buffalo does.

#HockeyMob – Just Like A #CashMob But With Beer

The Buffalo-born idea of cash mobs has now spread to nearly 600 cities on six continents and has resulted in nearly $700,000 of cash being exchanged between customers and local retailers. Pretty cool, eh? . It’s kind of a thing. In Buffalo alone, we’ve generated nearly $25,000 of revenue for local businesses while garnering dozens of news stories which help grow the customer base for these plucky little entrepreneurs.

This is a tough economy and many small businesses in Buffalo and WNY are looking for ways to increase cash flow.  That’s where we, the loyal soldiers of the Buffalo Spirit come in.  These businesses are rebuilding this city and working to make it a better place and we should return their investment with one of our own.  The goal will be to get 75-100 people to join the mob and spend $10-$20 each on the goods and services offered.  No groupons, discounts, or coupons allowed.  Just support our local merchants by spending $10 in their place of business.

As the idea has spread and grown, different activists have found new and interesting ways to apply the idea. The guys at TrendingBuffalo.com thought the idea of mobbing local bars and restaurants which suffered during the 2012 NHL Lockout was a good way to support our local community. The first #HockeyMob was held at the Irish Times in Downtown Buffalo and was a big success.

Tonight, they’ll host the second #HockeyMob at Helium Comedy Club in the Cobblestone District, just steps away from First Niagara Center.  Brad Riter from TrendingBuffalo breaks down the Top Ten reasons you should attend the event, including beer, giant TVs, jersey giveaways, t-shirt giveaways from Store716, swag from Labatt, tickets to future Helium events, and lots of free parking. The Sabres stink, it’s more fun to watch them with friends and beer than to sit home by yourself and bitching about the game on Twitter.

 

It's Not a Cash Mob, It's a Beer Mob!

An old-school neighborhood tavern is one of the things that makes Buffalo a special place. These corner pubs are important “third places” between work and home and serve as a hub for fun, collaboration, and community. In essence, they are the connective tissue of a neighborhood. Regular visitors stop in for a beer or two, maybe a fish fry and catch up with their friends and neighbors. Buffalo and other rust belt cities have them in spades and we want to make sure they stay alive.

So, in the spirit of embeering Buffalo and celebrating the importance of the neighborhood tavern, Community Beer Works (of which I am a part-owner) will be sponsoring monthly BeerMobs at classic Buffalo taverns and pubs.

The first of these Beer Mobs is tonight from 7-9PM at the Nortel Grill found at 732 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo.

We’ll put some beers on tap for one night (Frank and Batch 100 Schwartzbier) and ask you to come down and share a pint or choose another beer from Nortel’s cooler. Maybe grab a sandwich, play a few board games, or just hang out and tell some stories.

Come and celebrate a local tavern that makes Buffalo a special place. See you there!

#BuffCashMob Today at El Buen Amigo

 

What: A cash mob

Where: El Buen Amigo, located at 114 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14201. (Near corner of Elmwood and Allen) – Cash and credit cards accepted for purchases.

When: Today, 5:30PM

Who: You and Time Magazine, who will be here to profile the idea of Cash Mobs, which started here and have spread around the world. Let’s show Time Magazine what Buffalo is all about and give them a good turnout.

Why: This is a tough economy and many small businesses in Buffalo and WNY are looking for ways to increase cash flow.  That’s where we, the loyal soldiers of the Buffalo Spirit come in.  These businesses are rebuilding this city and working to make it a better place and we should return their investment with one of our own.  The goal will be to get 75-100 people to join the mob and spend $10-$20 each on the goods and services offered.  No discounts, no coupons, no special deals.  Just support our local merchants by spending $10 in their place of business.

El Buen Amigo is the retail operation of the Latin American Cultural Association and features affordable fair trade goods from Latin America, South America, Africa and the Caribbean.  Through their operation, they work to preserve the ancient arts & crafts of many hispanic indigenous communities that wish to maintain traditional ways of life while strengthening North American concern by helping to understand and appreciate other cultures and present day conditions.

It’s an awesome force for good in our city and it deserves our support.

After the cash mob, join us for cocktails across the street at Cantina Loco or make it a full night out and attend this fantastic event at MAIN (ST)UDIOS featuring 17 local artists.

The Buffalo-born idea of cash mobs has now spread to nearly 500 cities on five continents and has resulted in nearly $700,000 of cash being exchanged between customers and local retailers. Pretty cool, eh? . It’s kind of a thing. In Buffalo alone, we’ve generated nearly $25,000 of revenue for local businesses while garnering dozens of news stories which help grow the customer base for these plucky little entrepreneurs.

Return Of The #BuffCashMob – El Buen Amigo 10/12/12 530PM

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Do you like social media? Are you someone who digs doing cool stuff with cool people? Do you love supporting local small business?  If so, welcome to the #BuffCashMob!

Still not sure what a CashMob is?  Well, click here for the background.

The Buffalo-born idea of cash mobs has now spread to nearly 500 cities on five continents and has resulted in nearly $700,000 of cash being exchanged between customers and local retailers. Pretty cool, eh? . It’s kind of a thing. In Buffalo alone, we’ve generated nearly $25,000 of revenue for local businesses while garnering dozens of news stories which help grow the customer base for these plucky little entrepreneurs.

We’ll be mobbing our next business this Friday, October 12th at 5:30PM.

Where are we going? El Buen Amigo, located at 114 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14201. (Near corner of Elmwood and Allen)

What is El Buen Amigo?

It’s the retail operation of the Latin American Cultural Association, featuring affordable fair trade goods from Latin America, South America, Africa and the Caribbean. Through their operation, they work to preserve ancient arts & crafts of many hispanic indigenous communities that wish to maintain traditional ways of life while strengthening North American concern by helping to understand and appreciate other cultures and present day conditions.

It’s an awesome force for good in our city and it deserves our support.

After the cash mob, join us for cocktails across the street at Cantina Loco or make it a full night out and attend this fantastic event at MAIN (ST)UDIOS featuring 17 local artists.

This is a tough economy and many small businesses in Buffalo and WNY are looking for ways to increase cash flow.  That’s where we, the loyal soldiers of the Buffalo Spirit come in.  These businesses are rebuilding this city and working to make it a better place and we should return their investment with one of our own.  The goal will be to get 75-100 people to “flash mob” a local establishment and spend $10-$20 each on the goods and services offered.  No discounts, no coupons, no special deals.  Just support our local merchants by spending $10 in their place of business.

Think of it as a reverse-Groupon. Instead of businesses offering crazy discounts to get people to mob their stores, the Buffalo hivemind is going to take the initiative and spend money for goods & services at posted prices. The best way to promote and grow Buffalo business is to support and patronize them.

So, join us for some fun at El Buen Amigo and support Buffalo business!

#BuffCashMob Visits Ulrichs Tavern

As part of the International Cash Mob Day festivities, the Buffalo Cash Mob will visit the City of Buffalo’s oldest and most historic tavern – Ulrich’s – on Saturday, March 24th at 5PM. Have a ticket for the Sabres game at First Niagara Center that night? Stop in for some pre-game festivities and have some beer with the fans. Looking for a place to watch the game? Ulrich’s is perfect!

The idea of a cash mob began in Buffalo last summer and has now spread across the country and world, with events being held in over 100 cities and 10 countries.

The goal is to get ~100 people to “flash mob” a local establishment and spend $10-$20 each on the goods and services offered. No discounts, no coupons, no special deals. Just support our local merchants by spending $10 in their place of business. Think of it as a reverse-Groupon.

Instead of businesses offering crazy discounts to get people to mob their stores, the Buffalo hivemind takes the initiative and spends money for goods & services at posted prices. The best way to promote and grow Buffalo business is to support and patronize them.

It’s that easy. Invest in businesses that invest in our community! Ulrich’s is a community institution and deserves our support.

Ulrich’s Tavern has the distinction of being Buffalo’s oldest documented continuously operating tavern/restaurant having been established in the fall of 1868 and operating for over 50,000 days. Today it sits in the middle of the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus at its original site and building at 674 Ellicott St., corner of Virginia St. It’s the German Restaurant with the Irish Pub. Featuring homemade German-American food and a great draught beer selection anchored by Buffalo’s home town brewery, Flying Bison Brewery and the finest beers of Europe.

The Daley family has run Ulrich’s for over 50 years and is now second generation owned. Ulrich’s’ purpose for over a 140 years has never changed – to provide a public house where one can enjoy food, drink and camaraderie. Ulrich’s stands as a sentinel to Buffalo’s glorious past as well as its ever changing and hopeful future.

As cash mobs did originate in Buffalo, we’ll need to show that we know how to get out and support our local businesses during this international event. What better way then to have a few beers (and maybe some potato pancakes and sausages) at Buffalo’s coolest tavern?

Be there! Spread the word by posting this to your Facebook page, inviting your friends, and sharing the link on twitter with #BuffCashMob.

#BuffCashMob Today at Thin Ice on Elmwood!

Who: You and $20

What: A Buffalo Cash Mob!

When: Today between 5-7PM

Where: Thin Ice at 719 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo

Why: Because you want to invest in the businesses that have invested in Buffalo. Because you love social media and making a difference in your community. Because you want to do cool things with cool people. Because you cast 2351 votes in the final round of voting and chose this business!

Stop in, check out an anchor of Elmwood retail and support their business as best you can.

This little idea, born in Buffalo, has now spread to over 70 cities and three countries. It’s received coverage in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc. and on NBC/MSNBC, NPR, and dozens of web outlets. Be sure to come out and show America that we’re still the home of the cash mob and that we support our local businesses like no other city in America.

#BuffCashMob Winner Announced – Thin Ice

If you don’t know what the Buffalo Cash Mob is, please click here for the backstory or read one of the recent stories about how this locally born idea has spread across the country in the Wall Street Journal, on MSNBC, or on NPR’s Here and Now.

You nominated over 30 local businesses, including The Broadway Market, Animal Outfitters, Westside Stories, Budweys, The Sterling Tavern, GiGi’s, and Paula’s Donuts.

You cast 2351 votes in the final round.

And by a margin of eleven votes, you picked a winner.

The next Buffalo Cash Mob will be held this Thursday, February 23rd between the hours of 5-7PM at Thin Ice at 719 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo.

Thin Ice received 956 votes and the Western New York Book Arts Center received 945. It was a close race, but Thin Ice won with a huge burst of votes last Friday as the contest came to an end. WNYBAC is an awesome local organization and I highly encourage you to visit the Book Arts Center and sample the wonderful offerings. As this contest has grown, the second place finisher one month usually emerges as the winner the following month. So, let’s keep WNYBAC in mind for March.

So, what is Thin Ice?

Thin Ice Gift Shop is committed to supporting the local arts community by selling locally hand crafted, one of a kind gift items. At Thin Ice we believe in supporting the country we live in and so everything at Thin Ice is hand crafted in America! If we can’t speak directly to the artist we won’t carry the work.

At Thin Ice you will find hand crafted, one of a kind jewelry; oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe pottery that is not only one of a kind and beautiful but also fully functional; a wide variety of glass kaleidoscopes; hand turned wooden bowls made from trees from the October storm; handblown and hand fused glass vases, bowls, suncatchers, amongst many other glass items; metal wall pieces to decorate your home; hand knit scarves, hand sewn bags; wood and glass jewelry boxes, and much, much more.

The website provides just a sampling of the work available in the store.

Essentially, a local brick and mortar version of Etsy featuring sustainable products.

After we visit the store, we’ll meet up across the street at The Acropolis for a beer. Or, we can visit last month’s cash mob winner, Chow Chocolat, which is right next door to Thin Ice.

By the way, I’m often asked why it is that we don’t actually “mob” the business by gathering en masse and visiting the store as a horde. The original idea of this was to allow the vendor or business to establish relationships with new customers, and not just get a quick $20 from a hundred customers. To allow people to visit the store, meet the owner and to get to know the backstory of both. This way, we build new and stable relationships which can stabilize monthly business. We can “mob” if the crowd thinks that would be fun, but we’ve been pretty successful ($10,000 spent at 6 local businesses) thus far. Let me know what you think.

If we can get 10% of the voters to visit the store, we could be looking at over 200 people shopping at Thin Ice this Thursday. So, lets convert those votes into dollars.

Invest in businesses that invest in us. Support Thin Ice at the next Buffalo Cash Mob.

#BuffCashMob Voting Now Open

We asked, you nominated, and after nearly 300 submissions here, on Twitter, Facebook and by email, it’s time for you to cast your vote for one of the top three nominees! If you have no idea what this is all about, please click here to learn more about the Buffalo Cash Mob. I’ll tally your votes throughout the week and announce the winner on Friday at Noon.

The top three nominees were The Acropolis, Thin Ice and WNYBAC.

The owner of The Acropolis is facing widespread neighborhood opposition to his expansion plans for the restaurant. The Acropolis has been an Elmwood institution since 1982, serving Greek classics and American fare, while providing a full bar service.

Thin Ice Gift Shop is commited to supporting the local arts community by selling locally hand crafted, one of a kind gift items.  At Thin Ice we believe in supporting the country we live in and so everything at Thin Ice is hand crafted in America!  If we can’t speak directly to the artist we won’t carry the work.

The Western New York Book Arts Collaborative exists to promote, encourage and develop the Printing and Book Arts through education and access for individual artists and underserved communities. The WNYBAC Shop stocks bookbinding supplies and papers suitable for letterpress printing and bookbinding. We carry Decorative & art papers for many uses including many Hahnemuhle papers from Germany, St. Armand Papers from Montreal as well as marbled and Thai rice papers at very reasonable prices. A selection of art and design books, cards, prints & posters are also available for sale.

Once the winner has been announced, I’ll reach out to the winning business and arrange a suitable day and time for an influx of customers. We want your experience to be positive and also allow the business to properly staff for the event.

 

#BuffCashMob Nominations February 2012

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Do you like social media? Are you someone who digs doing cool stuff with cool people? Do you love supporting local small business? Well, welcome to the #BuffCashMob! We’ll be mobbing the next business sometime between 17-22 February. The date and time depend on what business you choose to receive a visit from the mob.

This little Buffalo-born idea has now spread to 44 cities and has made it all the way to Canada and England. It’s kind of a thing. In Buffalo alone, we’ve generated nearly $10,000 of revenue for local businesses while garnering dozens of news stories which help grow the customer base for these plucky little entrepreneurs. Pretty cool, right? Still not sure what a CashMob is? Well, click here for the background.

This is a tough economy and many small businesses in Buffalo and WNY are looking for ways to increase cash flow. That’s where we, the organized social media denizens of Western New York, come in. These businesses are rebuilding this city and working to make it a better place and we should return their investment with one of our own.The goal will be to get ~100 people to “flash mob” a local establishment and spend $10-$20 each on the goods and services offered. No discounts, no coupons, no special deals. Just support our local merchants by spending $10 in their place of business.

Think of it as a reverse-Groupon. Instead of businesses offering crazy discounts to get people to mob their stores, the Buffalo hivemind is going to take the initiative and spend money for goods & services at posted prices. The best way to promote and grow Buffalo business is to support and patronize them.

In previous months, we’ve mobbed City Wine Merchant, Lloyd Taco Truck, Village Beer Merchant, and Chow Chocolat.

Where will we go this time? It’s up to you!

Step 1: Nominate your favorite business in the comments section of this post, on Twitter using the hashtag #BuffCashMob, on our Facebook Page, or you can email me at chrissmithbuffalo@gmail.com

Step 2: Tell your friends about it and ask them to also submit their nomination.

Step 3: After I receive all the nominations, you’ll be asked to vote for one of the top three nominees.

Step 4: Come out and mob with us!

I’d prefer you choose businesses who are members of  Buffalo First! as every member of the organization is a certified, locally-owned business. Their full, sortable, and searchable membership listing can be found by clicking here.

Last month’s runners-up were (in no particular order), The Broadway Market, Westside Stories, GiGi’s, Explore and More Children’s Museum, and The Sterling Tavern.