Shop Brownsville First kicks off this Saturday with Santa and Cash Mob

BROWNSVILLE, TN (November 22, 2015): The Brownsville Business Association’s annual Shop Brownsville First campaign will kick-off this Saturday, November 28. Partnering with Main Street Brownsville and the Chamber of Commerce, this year’s event will include a visit from Santa at 1 p.m., and the return of the Cash Mob at 9:30 a.m. The kick-off corresponds with Small Business Saturday, an initiative that encourages people across the country to support small, local businesses. Last year’s Shop Brownsville Campaign generated approximately $70,000 in sales for local merchants.

“These businesses make our community special,” says event coordinator Vickie Cooper, “and they deserve our support.”

Shop Brownsville First rewards shoppers who patronize participating businesses, November 28 through December 19, with an opportunity to win prizes ranging from a big screen TV to Chamber bucks each time they spend a minimum of $10. Throughout the campaign, shoppers are encouraged to post their purchases and experiences to their social media accounts using the hashtags – #ShopBrownsvilleFirst, #ShopSmall, #BrownsvilleTN.
Those interested in being a part of the Cash Mob are asked to register Saturday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m., inside the courthouse lobby. There will be coffee and goody bags along with a list of participating businesses. At 10 a.m., Cash Mobbers will set out on their shopping excursions. Shoppers participating in the Cash Mob will receive extra opportunities to win when they check back in at the courthouse by 2:30 p.m., with receipts from their day of local shopping.

“Cash Mobs are like flash mobs, but instead of singing or dancing, the participants spend money as a group at small, local businesses,” says Cooper. “This is a great chance for friends to plan a day out together and the extra economic stimulus can make a big difference to business owners and our local economy.”

According to a Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, an estimated $14.3 billion were spent at small independent businesses on this day in 2014.

Santa will be doing his part by posing for photos with the children from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Photos are free and sponsored by Dynamix Physical Therapy and All That’s Victoria Boutique. Children are asked to bring their wish lists and parents will also be given an opportunity to participate in the Shop Brownsville First campaign.

Merchants participating in the campaign are: All That’s Victoria, Backyard Barbecue, Burger Basket, Delta Heritage Center, Ketchum Carpet, Wild Sophistication, Treasure Chest and Silver Linings.

“Brownsville has some great local businesses,” explains Cooper, “Shop Brownsville gives us an opportunity to highlight them and encourage shopping local for the holidays.”

The prize giveaway will take place December 19, 2 p.m. at the courthouse. You do not have to be present to win. Santa will stop by again on this date to give local children one last chance to share their wish lists before Christmas.

Shop Brownsville First is sponsored annually by the Brownsville Business Association. Local businesses are encouraged to participate. For more information on how to participate or about the event contact Cooper at 731-772-4477, or visit Facebook.com/Brownsville Business Association.

PHOT: Cash Mob participants register during last year’s Shop Brownsville First campaign kick-off. This year’s kick-off will take place Saturday, Nov. 28, at 10 a.m., inside the Haywood County Courthouse.