JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Chamblin's Uptown Book was the victim of the cash mob on Saturday, Jacksonville's first.
"Basically it's where a bunch of people converge upon a local business and spend money on a locally owned business to show support for your locally owned small businesses," said Mike Field, who organized the cash mob.
About 25 people surprised the downtown retailer by storming the store and buying up whatever they could in hopes of revitalizing the community.
"Small businesses here in Jacksonville are the backbone of our economy, and for us to be able to lift ourselves out of the recession, we should take it upon ourselves to support those who support our city," said Fields.
"More dollars stay within the community when you shop local than with a big box retailer," he added.
The bookstore has enjoyed success over the last year, but Rob Chamblin, the owner, said things like cash mobs help out quite a bit.
"We're up 20 percent in sales over last year, so tit's looking good for us. I think time is on our side. We just need more neighbors. We need more businesses down here," said Chamblin.
With over 800,000 books in the store, there was something for each mobster to purchase.
"We're really pleased. We'll see how much we sell here," said Chamblin.
"This is our community and it's up to us to make it a place worth living in. So, things like this kind of show our commitment to our community," said Fields.
Fields said he got the idea of a cash mob from the magazine and wants to do more events in the future.