Wednesday will be Xenia’s seventh Cash Mob, in which people are encouraged to arrive at a store during one hour in the evening and commit to spending at least $10. The group then meets for drinks afterward at the Devil Wind Brewery, 130 S. Detroit St.
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Cash mobs are a way to support downtown businesses, but they are also opportunities for business owners, city leaders, residents and others to socialize and network, according to downtown property owner Jennifer Dunn.
Dunn, co-owner of the historic Eavey Grocery Building, at 17 W. Third St., brought the cash mob idea to Xenia. Dunn said she remembers the busy weekend farmer’s market that surrounded the courthouse, and she wants to see the downtown area thrive like that again.
“Everywhere else downtowns are thriving. Why not Xenia?” Dunn said. “When you think of what people are looking for right now, they’re looking for walkability, bikeability. We’ve got it going on. We just need to get the people in here to fill these vacant spaces with the right mindset.”
Wednesday’s Cash Mob destination is Route 68 Vintage Toys and Collectibles. A wide selection of pristine action figures adorn the walls of the store, along with decades-old Pepsi glasswear featuring cartoon characters, and oddities such as a “Wall-E” replica that talks.
Danielle Eldridge, who opened the store about a year ago with her husband Rob, said she is “strongly encouraging” her business friends to open shop in Xenia because the city is “up-and-coming.”
“People are coming to downtown again. My foot traffic on Saturdays is ridiculous,” Eldridge said. “We have days where there’s nobody and days where we’re just constantly hopping.”
Eldridge, of Beavercreek, said small cities like Xenia will “ebb and flow” with the economy, but one of the main challenges for the downtown area is renovating the buildings. Grants and historic tax credits are needed to offset costs, she said.
“The facades of these buildings are beautiful, but when you get into the buildings and if you ask some of the owners, the expense just for basic repairs far exceeds the value of the buildings,” she said.
The owners of businesses previously targeted by cash mobs report the event packed their stores with people who made purchases.
“It was amazing. I did huge sales in exactly 60 minutes. I had people lined out my door,” said Melanie Thomas, owner of Gypsy Alley Boutique, which was the first business targeted by the cash mob in October 2018.
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Thomas said parking is still a major concern for downtown business owners, some of whom must move their vehicles every few hours to avoid getting a ticket. She said she doesn’t know what the solution is on limited parking, but if businesses are offering what people want, they will find a way to get there.
“I think people are starting to realize, they’re getting the word out that there is a lot to do downtown, you just have to get out and go,” Thomas said.
Becky Hawkes, owner of FLOUR Bake Shop, said she sold out of her cupcakes, scones and other baked goods when she was targeted by the cash mob in February.
“It was crazy. Busiest hour we’ve ever had,” Hawkes said.
Hawkes said one way to help the downtown area become more vibrant is to make it easier for business owners to get approvals and open storefronts.
“There’s a lot of red tape and a lot of little, tiny baby steps that you have to go through between signing the lease and opening the door,” she said.
To get notified of the next Cash Mob in Xenia, contact Dunn at jennifer@eaveyexchange.com.
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How to go
What: Cash Mob in Xenia
When: 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Route 68 Vintage Toys and Collectibles, 68 S. Detroit St.
The “mob” will meet for drinks from 7 to 8 p.m. at Devil Wind Brewery, 130 S. Detroit St.
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