Andalusia Star News
Want to make a “scene” at a local business?
The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce is asking locals to do just that Thursday night.
The first ever “Cash Mob” will be held Thurs., May 31, at Hilltop Meat Co., from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
“A cash mob is like a flash mob,” said Chamber executive vice president Ashley Eiland. “It’s just the economic or chamber of commerce version of it.
“It’s to spur the local economy by inundating one local business at a time,” she said. “We’re asking that everyone spend $20. They’ll be a part of history, as it’s the first one we’ve done.”
Cash mobs are “in fashion” throughout the country, and serve as the people’s stimulus package to help small businesses.
“The mayor started seeing it on the Internet, and he wanted the chamber to try it,” Eiland said.
“We need to focus on our small businesses,” Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson said. “And this will shine a spotlight on buying local. Every little bit helps, and it’s a way to draw attention to the local economy in a fun way.”
“It’s a great thing to do in a group aspect and make it a party atmosphere,” Eiland said. “We’re going to do this once a month. We have enough businesses signed up that we think we can do it throughout the year. It’s for chamber members only. We’re also hoping it will grow the chamber.”
Cash mobs throughout the country have reported anything from doubling Saturday afternoon sales to seeing 600 percent increases over the previous weekend.
Dinner and drink will follow at Hilltop Seafood and Restaurant, but it’s Dutch treat, Eiland said.
Saturday was the official end of regular-season play at the newly rennovated Johnson Park in Andalusia in the 2012 city and county youth sports season. Local dignitaries, including Mayor Earl Johnson, pictured above throwing out the ceremonial pitch, and Commission Chairman Lynn Sasser were on hand to thank players, parents and volunteers for making the renovation of Johnson Park a reality.
The City will hold its annual Memorial Day service, Sat., May 26 at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Terry Powell is the speaker.
The City of Andalusia will be closed Mon., May 28, for Memorial Day. Garbage and recycling pick up will be on Tues., May 29, for both routes.
Andalusia’s streets, city hall and First United Methodist Church were lined with flags in observance of Memorial Day yesterday.
Andalusia area residents will find fliers in their utilities bills this month promoting the sales of memorial bricks at a new national apparel workers monument.
Bill Hamiter is organizing a fundraising effort for the tribute, which will be placed at the former corporate headquarters of Alatex, on River Falls Street.
The building currently is being renovated to become the new home of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce and a tourist center.
Plans include a monument to apparel workers, as well as tributes to those who made the apparel industry great in South Alabama.
Hamiter said there will be tributes to John G. Scherf, a history of Alatex, a textiles mural, and personal tributes to former textile employees in the form of memorial bricks.
The bricks are $100 each, Hamiter said, and can be engraved with the names, departments and dates of employment of former workers.
Corporate and civic contributions also are being sought, Hamiter said, adding that he is encouraging those organizations to allow their contributions to fund bricks in memory of former employees.
“Instead of having corporate cornerstones, we want as many employee names as possible,” he said. “We really want this to be about the workers.”
The pavers will be used in the walkway and patio areas of the renovated facility.
In the years between 1923 and 1992, Alatex and Andala employed up to 1,500 people in Andalusia, and more than 3,000 total employees. The company also had plants in Troy, Brantley, Enterprise, Evergreen, Elba, Montgomery, Crestview and Panama City.
Checks can be mailed to Alatex Memorial, P.O. Box 429, Andalusia, AL, or delivered to Andalusia City Hall.