"Cash Mobs" offer special deals from Downtown Meridian businesses
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Jennifer Auh reports on a "cash mob" coming up in Downtown Meridian this Tuesday. Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com
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Many businesses in Downtown Meridian are taking a hit because of the major construction on Meridian Road.
Now, the City of Meridian and the Meridian Chamber of Commerce are stepping in to help out. Every month, they select a group of businesses to do a "cash mob,” where a group of people get together for a day to support small local businesses.
Business owners in Meridian said with fewer customers coming through their doors, the construction project is hurting their bottom line.
"We've noticed the phones ring less. We don't have the traffic that we normally would, since the construction. We've seen it just continually drop down because of the inconvenience," said Lance Palmer, Bobby's Transmission Owner and Manager.
The detours on meridian road because of the Meridian Split Corridor project are not only inconvenient, but there are no new customers.
"A lot of customers would drive down Meridian Road, see them and just stop by. That traffic is not there anymore,” said Natalie Podgorski, City of Meridian Spokesperson.
The cash mob will include special deals for customers, in hopes to encourage them to spend their money at businesses in Downtown Meridian.
The owner of Bobby's Transmission said it's his last hope. "If we continue to stay as low as we've been these last few months, we can look at potentially having to lay people off," said Palmer.
Three businesses: Bruneel Tire Factory, Napa Auto Parts and Bobby's Transmission will be part of the first joint cash mob this Tuesday.
"I think it’s great that we're trying to do something here in town. If I was to get 10 or 15 extra people in that day. I think that would just be wonderful," said Palmer.
On Tuesday, Bobby's Transmission will offer $20 off transmission service. Bruneel will give half price alignments, free tire rotations and $19.95 oil changes. At Napa, when customers buy wiper blades, they will get free installation and a free gallon of washer fluid.
The Meridian Split Corridor Project should be finished by October. The City and Chamber plan to do a cash mob once a month until then, to help different groups of businesses affected by the construction.
The monthly cash mobs will be posted on the City of Meridian's Twitter, Facebook and homepage.
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