The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
City hosts Cash Mob Our Market event
Eastlake held a “Cash Mob Our Market” and Captains Yard Sale Aug. 5 in place of the usual Market Day.
Eastlake held a “Cash Mob Our Market” and Captains Yard Sale Aug. 5 in place of the usual Market Day.
From 3-7 p.m., Aug. 5, residents flooded the parking lot of Captains Stadium. It was open to the public, and social distancing with face masks was encouraged.
Inspired by “flash mobs,” cash mobs are when people flood a particular store (in Eastlake’s case, a market) and pledge to buy items.
The city of Eastlake, in conjunction with the Lake County Captains, is planning to strive to provide a venue where local, independent distributors and cottage industries can display and sell their items in a visible and low-cost environment.
The Captains held their yard sale during the market day not only to sell merchandise but to get out in the community, said Captains Assistant General Manager Tim O’Brien.
“We are here just trying to be out in the community and also sell some of our merchandise that we have leftover,” he said. “I think it’s good. There’s no minor league season but we’re happy to get out in public doing something and we can do it safely.”
Over 25 vendors were present at the market day, and Master Pizza of Eastlake donated free pizza slices, and water was provided compliments of Dollar Bank.
The “mob” market was held in place of the regular market day held on Wednesdays. It also featured a live broadcast from MIX 97.1 MC Jeremy James. He gave away some prizes donated by the vendors to customers who purchased at the market that day.
“I think it’s very special when we are able to do something,” James said. “I know we have to be safe and have our masks and hand sanitizer and use caution, but doing something I think is very important is better than being tucked away.
“People interaction is important.”
Caliber Cupcakes owner Heather Gragg spoke about how exciting it was to see people support the city and local businesses.
“It’s really great,” she said. “There is a lot of foot traffic getting through here, and there are more faces I’ve seen this week than I have in the past six weeks we’ve been doing it, so that’s great.”
The vendors present included: Donanna Farms, Tidwell’s Garden, Well Preserved, Tupperware, Pap’s Kettle Korn, Watatees, Thirty-One, Norwex, Black Walnut Bakery, Spoiled Dog Boss, Caliber Cupcakes, Beth Vilkas Designs, Bakers Rack, Tastefully Simple, Crafty Mam, Lab House Creations, Lularoe, Paparazzi, Thoughtful Boutique, Young Living, Strong Me Boutique, Lake Erie Driftwood, Haven At Foxwood Farms, Love You To The Moon & Back Bakery, Foxy Face Masks, Pork in the Road Food Truck, FBombs, Blessed Boutique, BKB Crafts & Things, Crock ‘n’ CLE, Honey Frog Creations, Jillian Marie Studio and Avon.
As a service to the residents of the community, the regular market will still be held every Wednesday at Captains Stadium.
To learn more about vendor applications, information can be found at the city hall or on the city’s Facebook page.