First came the Flash Mob. Then the Cash Mob. Now Calgary will play host to the first ever GoodMob.
Co-founder Scott Lawrence and his partner Gary Ellis have been working on the concept and website goodmob.ca for several months and they are hoping it will catch on.
"It’s to support local economy. Local small and independent business. It's there to support a local charity with needs.” says Lawrence.
The duo also enlisted the help of ATB Financial to help launch the website but also connect the GoodMob fellas with other local businesses wanting to jump on board on future projects.
However, the test for these Calgarians will be on Friday when the first GoodMob gets underway at local retailer, Reid’s Stationers on 17th Avenue S.W.
The concept is to identify a cause, like a charity. Next find a local retailer to send would-be “mobsters” to do some shopping. A big component is using the internet to mobilize and organize a GoodMob.
Lawrence admits this Friday’s GoodMob will be a test. Maureen Bilton, co-owner of Reid’s says she was excited to take part in the experiment.
The family business has been around for 28 years.
"It's exciting. It’s great energy. It brings people down to the neighbourhood. We have great stuff in here and we want them to experience it."
"We thought GoodMob was a very neat different way to raise profile. To bring in people in terms of building awareness and ultimately help these businesses become more successful." added Willington Holbrook with ATB Fiancial.
GoodMob will get underway at 12:30 p.m. on Friday for one hour at Reid’s. Mobsters are encouraged to snag items, anything from sling-shot screaming monkeys to stylish pens.
The GoodMob after party will be hosted by Fiore's restaurant, just steps away from Reid's. This is where mobsters can get to know each other and foster the idea of community.
Both Reid’s and Fiore’s will donate 20 percent of the GoodMob proceeds to Janus Academy, a school which provides specialized education to children with autism.
