CASH MOB ST PAUL MN 2012 SUMMARY

Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) was formed in July 2012 because of my personal commitment to where I choose to reside (Twin Cities East Metro). Inspired by Cash Mob Minneapolis (which is currently on hiatus until a new coordinator is located), I wanted to rally kindred spirits to assist East Metro entrepreneurs. No agenda, neither hidden plans nor political bent (that is relegated to my blog). Just plain and simple: civic duty. We are not a marketing tool of a for-profit public relations firm. Spending money at a local merchant is more likely to have a positive financial impact on the community rather than having the profit sent to some faraway place. Please join us at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966

Cash Mobs define local businesses as independently owned with fewer than three storefronts and not affiliated with a franchise, chain store, or serve as a distributor for a larger corporation. The business must either be a brick & mortar storefront or else an online entrepreneur who resides in the East Metro. Non-durable goods are disqualified. The business must offer physically portable products. We prefer businesses that sell locally manufactured goods or procure supplies within fifty miles of the metro area. East Metro area of the Twin Cities Minnesota is delineated within the geographical boundaries of Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota (northern half) counties.

Honored to be highlighted by the media for our efforts. The St. Paul Pioneer Press article by Frederick Melo http://www.twincities.com/stpaul/ci_21356737/cash-mob-set-strike-university-avenue-businesses-wednesday (Section A, Page 4, Above the Fold!!) brought a lot of new members. The online site, The Line Media, published Anna Pratt’s article http://thelinemedia.com/devnews/stpaulcashmob100312.aspx and increased membership. If you have seen us mentioned anywhere else, please let me know. Thrilled that our efforts have motivated other Cash Mob-esq groups to be formed. The more the merrier!!

It is encouraging that our group is growing in number. I’ve noticed that many people will RSVP for an event but not officially “Like” our mob. That is fine but it’s nice when people join because Facebook will advertise our group more frequently when we are considered to be popular. What is discouraging is when people RSVP and then don’t show up for an event. That is impolite behavior. I’d prefer it if the person would mark “Maybe” on their RSVP and then visit the store on another occasion. Due to the large number of no-shows we will no longer be highlighting eating establishments. I don’t like sitting at a table alone.

Overall, the businesses have had a positive response. It is important for our members to self-identify as Cash Mob participants when they make their purchase. That way the entrepreneur can keep track of our impact on their establishment. Sadly, our efforts were not enough to keep Something New in the Park open. It closed its doors at the end of December and will be missed.

It takes a lot of time to maintain an online-based group. I research every business before an event is scheduled. I have to check our Facebook page several times per week and respond to messages. I write updates for the blog and spend an inordinate amount of time advertising the group and events. The Worldwide Web is immense and it’s difficult to get noticed. I am not prepared to strip off my clothes, paint on my body the words “Join Cash Mob St Paul MN” and film myself to post on You Tube. I’ll do a lot but I do have boundaries…

Please be so kind as to join our group, attend our events, and share us with your connections. I am seeking a co-coordinator for the group. Please send me a message via the Cash Mob St Paul MN page and we can meet for coffee.

Looking forward to a mob-filled 2013!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

TO THE STORE

Buy buy buy
The merchants cry
Impress the hoard
With what you can afford
This time every year
The debt fills us with fear
We should be spending time with those we hold dear
You never know when death draws near
Cherish the hours
Before you are buried beneath the flowers.

Ho-Ho-Hum
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

CASH MOB ST PAUL MN NOVEMBER EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Our fifth Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) get-together is heralded!! Help support a local business by spending at least $20 cash at this event (okay to spend less).

CMSPM Event #5
Date: Saturday, November 24th, 2012
Times: 11am-Business AND Noon-Restaurant (okay to arrive late or shop on another date)
Location: TO BE ANNOUNCED a day or two before the event, please check back for details.

NOMINATE A BUSINESS WITH A NEARBY RESTAURANT before Saturday, November 10th. Location can be anywhere in Ramsey, Dakota or Washington Counties. Please post the establishments name (with website, if possible) on the Event page. (Sorry, no chain stores or franchises qualify.) We’ll shop at the business at 11am and then eat at the restaurant (must be within walking distance of the business). www.facebook.com/#!/events/299196923518470

The cash mob rules are simple:
1. Spend $20 cash (more or less but cash does speed up the check out process),
2. Chat with three people that you don’t know but please bring along a friend or two, and
3. Enjoy yourself! We want this to be a fun experience for everyone.

On the CMSPM Facebook (FB) page:
* Please RSVP with “Join” if you can make it; invite your FB Friends; and SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH OTHERS via FB by posting on your personal page. Help spread the word to non-FB folks (see next paragraph for details).
* If you can’t attend, you can temporarily indicate a “Maybe” to invite your FB friends and then decline at a later date.
* Please decline before the event if you have to cancel. It’s rude to be a no-show.
* “Like” our FB community page at “Cash Mob St Paul MN” to receive notification of future events and invite your FB Friends to join us, too! www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966

We welcome other methods of advertising our efforts, if you would like to co-host or publicize this event in another way, such as MeetUp or another FB group. Please send a message via our FB page and keep us informed as to the numbers of people attending. The more the merrier!

Optional: Wear something green to the occasion to indicate that you are a member of the Cash Mob…just an idea, not a requirement.

Thank you ever so much!

PS If you can’t join us for this happening, please patronize the business another time and let them know that you heard about their entrepreneurial efforts from Cash Mob St Paul MN.

Mobfully Yours!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

MAULED BY MERCHANDISE

A friend of mine was visiting from Ohio and wanted to venture to the Mall of America (MOA). Roopa is a hunter & gatherer, shopping is an adventure for her. She gets a thrill out of finding a bargain and is a bit competitive in her comparison-shopping. We went to the mall for two successive days. I visit the mall perhaps once per year so this was an odd occurrence since I consider procurement of commodities to be an unpleasant task.

I was an observer during the trips, except for a meal that I will write a nosh review soon. I have no money to spend since I have been struggling with unemployment/underemployment for over three years. I don’t really like chain-stores anyway because their merchandise lacks originality. Too many times I have been to a party and three people wore the same outfit. I prefer to shop at second hand stores like Arc’s Value Village or Goodwill. Plus, the perfumes, dyes, and fixatives used on the wares invoke my allergies. I’m very sensitive to formaldehyde so I don’t enjoy being in a shop for very long.

Anyway, here are some of the things that I noticed while waiting for Roopa. The MOA is designed for disorientation. It would be pleasant if the corridors had a color-coded designation. I like the addition of seating areas in the hallways for people like me who are marooned while the buying frenzy finishes. There are now kiosks every thirty feet or so that flash messages. I presume that the kiosks can also post multi-lingual public safety information in case of a storm or emergency. The MOA is now 20 years old and I've only been there about a dozen times so I notice changes.

Roopa wanted to visit the Disney Store to procure stuff for her kids. There are cool video screens, which project upon fake trees. A very stunning visual effect. Disconcerting that every manikin was caucasian. You’d think that this huge international conglomerate would be more inclusive. Plus, the Spiderman apparel was only for boys, they should include some girl outfits too. I found the music to be really annoying so I retreated to the corridor while she pounced.

People watching at the MOA was entertaining since I foolishly forgot to bring a book. Teenage females wear almost identical outfits and roam in pairs or a pack. Teenage boys like to hang out in groups of three and wear complimentary outfits. Adult women dress with a bit more individuality but tend to have nearly matching handbags as their friends. Adult men didn’t seem to go the mall unless they were with a female. I guess that they are afraid.

What surprised me the most was the amusement park, Nickelodeon World. It was a beautiful summer day and the park was packed. Why would people want to be inside? I was disturbed by the constant roar and screaming. I like the skylights but the recreational area does get darker at sunset. Not the place to bring excitable kids because they would go wild.

The MOA was lacking any outward efforts to recycle. Nary a bin did I see. It would really be a good thing if all malls would implement a “green” prerogative. The St. Paul River Center offers the best example and the Minneapolis Convention Center is close behind. So much food is tossed that should be composted. All retailers should focus on reducing waste and recycling. It makes more sense to be “green” because it helps the proverbial bottom line to increase profit and gosh darn it, its better for the world.

See ya at the mall, perhaps next year!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing