Maggie Fimia wrote eloquently on My Edmonds News last week about her hope that the community will support locally-owned Petosa’s Family Grocer, which lost significant business when it had to close temporarily following a sprinkler system malfunction a week and a half ago. Petosa’s reopened last weekend, but a community movement is afoot to support the family-owned store through something called a Cash Mob.

A Cash Mob is an event spread by Facebook, Twitter, the media and word of mouth. Once a business is targeted to be “cash-mobbed,” everyone is asked to arrive at a certain time with at least $20 that they’re ready to spend. (Of course, you can spend more than $20 — it’s up to you!) Once the group has gathered, they enter the business together and spend that money. After the money is spent, the idea is to continue the celebration at a local watering hole and get to know your fellow “Cash Mobbers”.

The Petosa’s Cash Mob is set for this Thursday, April 19th at 6:30 p.m. The group will meet below the store, in front of MS Helping Hands and Edmonds Auto Body — located respectively at 409 and 401 Howell Way — between 6 and 6:30 p.m. At 6:30, those gathered will head to the store at 550 5th Ave. S. to spend their cash. After that, participants are invited to enjoy the Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk and/or congregate at nearby Hamburger Harry’s, 610 5th Ave. S., to celebrate their efforts to support Petosa’s. (In fact, if you show your receipt from the Cash Mob at Hamburger Harry’s Thursday, the restaurant will honor happy hour prices all night long.)

And one more thing, if you spread the word via Twitter, here’s the hashtag for the event: #edmondscashmob