At the Chamber of Commerce, we are always looking for ways to promote our members and support the local economy. What better way to do this than by simply eating lunch?
Over the past several years you may have seen Shop Local initiatives called Cash Mobs. Patrons in the community are encouraged to patronize a specific local retail establishment on a specific day, with the goal of spending at least $20 at the business. Some of the shops had struggled through the downturn in the economy. The Cash Mob concept was launched to breathe some life back into a business and remind the community of the value of its businesses to the local economy.
So why not take this concept and apply it to restaurants? That's exactly what we thought too! Hence, the Lunch Mob was born.
Last Wednesday we proudly launched our first Lunch Mob at the Hillbilly Sandwich Shack, located on West Virginia 47 between Corridor D and Interstate 77. Owner Brenda Vaughn opened her restaurant several months ago and was delighted with the idea of having a set day to encourage Chamber members and the general community to try her cooking. She selected the date and the time; then the Chamber set about to tell everyone about it and get patrons to her restaurant for the event.
People traveled from as far away as Mason County to come to the Lunch Mob. Actually these fine folks came and had lunch at the Hillbilly Sandwich Shack one day before the actual Lunch Mob because they heard about the event and wanted to support the initiative.
Business people from downtown Parkersburg, community leaders from Vienna, co-workers from businesses located on W.Va. 47 - they all showed up to enjoy lunch and support the Chamber's Lunch Mob.
Mark McLean from Tri-State Roofing was on his way from the office on Meadville Road in Davisville to Parkersburg and grabbed a to-go order. Parkersburg News and Sentinel Publisher Jim Spanner brought two of his employees and they were heard raving about the banana cream pie.
Linda McLean, Kay Munchmeyer and Sherry Tracey from Coldwell Banker Landmark Realtors were seen drinking out of the ice cold tin mugs in the back corner booth. "The food was excellent, but I ate way too much," said Linda.
Stacia and Bobby Pierce from Pierce Foods stopped in too. "It's about Chamber members supporting Chamber members," shared Stacia. "We've had lunch here several times already since they are just down the road from us."
Have plans for lunch tomorrow? Our next Lunch Mob is scheduled for Monday, July 16 from 11:30 a.m. 2 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles at 406 Avery St. in downtown Parkersburg.
I want to thank everyone who supported our first Lunch Mob at the Hillbilly Sandwich Shack and hope to see you tomorrow and at future Lunch Mobs. Make sure and check out our website www.movchamber.org and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/MOVchamber for future Lunch Mob dates and locations.
Upcoming Chamber events and activities - open to all Chamber members. Please preregister at www.movchamber.org
* July Business After Hours, July 17 at 4:30-7 p.m., The Polymer Alliance Zone (PAZ), 1 Polymer Way in Davisville.
* July Lunch & Learn with Air Evac, July 20 at 11:30 a.m., WV Central Credit Union, Division Street.
Visit this space every other Sunday for more Chamber news. We also invite you to call us at 304-422-3588, email us at info@movchamber.org, or stop by the Chamber office at 409 1/2 Market St. in Parkersburg.
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Jill Parsons is president/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
