Cash mob kicks sales up a notch at Bob’s Chowder Bar Posted by Jacob Buckenmeyer | May 23, 2012 | 940 views

An ad hoc group has formed in town to bring a flood of customers to local storefronts — one mob at a time.

“A Town Ca$h Mob” is a Facebook group with a volunteer organizational committee. The group selects a business location and encourages its members to flock there and buy a little something during the designated hour for the cash mob.

The point is to give the business a little boost, said organizer Sandra Benton.

“We have so many businesses that are small, independently owned, and struggle to keep their doors open year round,” she said. “This can make a big difference in their monthly revenue, just from this one day.”

Potential cash mob destinations in Anacortes can be nominated using a form on the group’s Facebook page.

Organizers put the nominations in a hat and draw out the lucky business’ name.

The first business to be mobbed was Bob’s Chowder Bar & BBQ Salmon on May 15.

Owners Bob and Barbara Atterberry and Town Crier Richard Riddell were on hand to welcome mobsters, who ordered everything from fish tacos to chowder bowls.

An after-party at Nantucket Inn featured small plates by chef Matt McKay, and drinks from Rick Star of the Rockfish Grill. McKay and Star are both mob organizers.

Benton said about 50 people turned out, adding around $300 on top of Bob’s normal expected revenue for 4-6 p.m.

She expects turnout to be higher in the future, as word spreads. She said the next cash mob will be held in mid-June, with the business’ name drawn from the hat sometime this week.

The Facebook group has nearly 400 members. Cash mobs have been cropping up across the country in recent months, in big cities and small towns.