‘Cash Mob’: Viral Email Rallies Locals to Support Historic Small-Town Hardware Store
- Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:51am by
Billy Hallowell
- Print »
- Email »
In the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Rob Schwind shovels the sidewalk in front of the Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (AP) — It began quietly, as an email to 40 friends.
But when a steady stream of customers began coming through the door before the family-owned Chagrin Hardware had even opened for the day on Saturday, it was clear that it had turned into much more than that.
The idea started with Jim Black, a resident of Chagrin Falls, a close-knit village in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs that is part artist colony and part bedroom community. Black posted the email to a group of his friends. “Let’s show our support for one of our local businesses,” he wrote. “I challenge everyone to spend AT LEAST $20 at the hardware on the 21st.”
Although his email referred to the idea of a “Cash Mob” or the notion to “Occupy CF Hardware,” he really had no political agenda. And it wasn’t meant as a protest against the big-box stores that have created an ever-tightening circle around the community.
In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Jack Shutts, front right, works the counter as throngs of people wait to make their purchases at Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
It was just a way to thank Chagrin Hardware’s owners for a beloved shop that has been a fixture in the village since 1857.
“These are good people who needed our support,” Black said. “It’s just that simple.”
The store, overlooking meandering Riverside Park and the Chagrin River in the middle of town, has been run by the Shutts family for the last 72 years. It passed from uncle to father to older brothers Rob and Kenny and the three youngest, Steve, Susie and Jack, who run the store today.
Black’s note was forwarded and forwarded and forwarded again. Calls started coming in from folks out of state who wanted to make a purchase over the phone.
In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Steve Shutts, left, laughs along with his old friends Jim Black, center and Jim Calder at Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Black wrote an email to 40 friends asking them to come and spend at least $20.00 at the hardware Saturday, and the email spread like wildfire throughout the community. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
And when the day came, so did the shoppers – one by one, with dogs on leashes and children in tow, hour after hour until the hardware was teeming with customers.
“This is small-town America,” said resident Martine Scheuermann, a bag of pet-safe ice melt in her arms and her Springer Spaniels tapping their toes on the worn wooden floor at her feet. “This is a special family business in a town where everybody knows you.”
The store has seen its share of tough times. Road construction on Main Street at the store’s front door some years back crippled business for a time. More recently, the weakened economy and the big boxes have stolen away customers.
On this day, though, those storylines were forgotten.
By 10 a.m. the place was jammed. By 1:30 p.m., the credit card machine was overloaded and had to be reset. “This is so cool,” said Steve Shutts, a mix of joy, wonder and happy exhaustion spread across his face. “I‘ve seen people today I haven’t seen in years.”
The line at the checkout stretched in two directions as people with snow shovels and light bulbs and fireplace grates and vintage movie posters and horse shoe caulk – yes, horse shoe caulk – waited to pay.
Chad Schron, 38, came with his 8-year-old son Robert. “We didn’t have anything we had to get, but we found things we had to get,” he said. As he spoke, Robert clutched an Ohio State desk lamp and two flying monkey toys to his chest.
In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Chad Schron holds up two of the numerous notes from mothers over the last nearly 70 years allowing their children to buy BB's at Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The family-owned business has been the heart of the town since it opened in 1857. One of the notes was for Schron himself, written by his mother so he could buy BB's several decades ago. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
“When I was a kid, my Mom would send me down here with a note to let me buy BB’s,” Schron recalled. “Lots of kids did that back then. The notes still are in a drawer over there,” he said as he pointed past the register to a wall of wooden drawers containing everything from old springs to screws. In the drawer still labeled “BBs” were stacks of crumpled notes dating to the ’50s, from mothers just like Schron’s
When the final customer had finally left well after closing time with her fuzzy dice and floodlights, Schwind and Steve Shutts tallied the day’s receipts. Shutts shook his head at the wild and unexpected ride.
He wouldn’t say how much the store made that day, but was clearly pleased with the outcome.
“Thanks to Jimmy Black,” he said. “Thanks to everyone. Thanks to Chagrin Falls.
“What a place to live.”
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 668 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 381 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 327 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 251 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 257 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 104 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 251 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (86)
RightThinking1
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:35amAll of our truly local hardware stores are now gone. David Wilcox even recorded an entertaining tune about one of the last, and it is worth a listen: “East Asheville Hardware” :
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgs3tqIEwAU
NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:18pmNo, you are wrong., I still have Zillah Hardware in Zillah, Wa.. The owners are Seventh Day Adventists, so they are closed on Saturday. C&H Hardware, Yakima, Wa.. Ideal Feed, Toppenish, Wa.. Shall I go on?
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:21amLove-it…LOve-it…LOVE-IT!!!!!! Unfortunately, where I live, now, there is no “small-town” hdwr-store, but I do use the local ACE instead of BigBox, most of the time, because no-walking blocks to fine what I want and I only need, maybe, a few of each insteadd of 500-1000 of them in one box. This small store, the people still know where everything is, instead of “ohh, it’s about over-there, maybe in isle 39… .
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:59amMany of the small stores have older-more-polite-more-knowledgeable clerks. Box stores and small stores both serve a purpose but more detailed items, I buy from small stores, tv’s,washer&dryer etc.because they seem to have more customer-service and higher-quality products.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 5:29pmDoesn’t this remind you of the last few minutes of “It’s a Wonderful Life?”
This is an awesome story.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:16am…
Report Post »Nice story.
I hate the BIG-BOX stores. I love the small town shops.
BLACKS ARE RACIST
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:28amReally? You’re against the most efficient organizations in the free market? You’re against capitalism? You sound like a liberal.
Report Post »pghpatriot
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:48am‘Blacks’ … I don’t know how old you are, but I presume rather young. What you don’t know or fail to realize is that Chagrin Hardware is as much capitalism as the the big box store(s), just 50 years earlier. The Chagrin Hardwares of the country paved the way for the big stores, and they have a honored place in our society. Look at the pictures of the happy and smiling people. That’s what small, local. hometown business bring to a community. Now contrast that with what is going on in the Republican nomination debates. The fighting, the name calling, the slander, the no holds barred attacks all in the name of ‘today’s capitalism.’ For my money, I‘ll take the 50’s capitalism every time! And by the way I am a (very) fiscal conservative.
Report Post »djs45
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:00pmnot to mention how big box stores jack up the prices on certain items to cover their losses on the items routinely shoplifted, thereby punishing the paying customer because afterall, the bottom line is the only thing important.
Report Post »BLACKS ARE RACIST
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:14pmYes, because shoplifting doesn’t happen at small stores… Guess what, “big-box” stores have cheaper prices than small stores like this one. How does that hurt the paying customer? I don’t care if you like small stores because they are happy-go-lucky, but don’t hate large corporations because they are be more efficient and shave costs. Obama hates them for this reason.
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:44pmI have a good ol’ mom & pop hardware store near me, has been in business for years. They now buy & sell gold jewelry and guns & ammo. They are doing quite well…
Report Post »BLACKS ARE RACIST
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:47pmOh, and PGHPATRIOT, I never said I had a problem with the small stores. I have a problem with people hating large stores that are taking advantage of the free market, and providing services to millions and even billions of people. I don’t care if you were alive during the jurassic era, Mr. “I’m old, so I know more than anyone,” if you like the 50′s version of capitalism so much, GET OFF YOUR COMPUTER BECAUSE IT WOULDN’T EXIST!
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:01pmPGHPATRIOT BLACK ARE RACIST IS RIGHT. Get off your computer and show what you think about big box stores by not shopping them. I do shop electronic at stores like best buy. But all my meats,produce,and breads are purchase from local area markets. I even use local hareware stores and small car dealerships as well. My girl gets her fabric from a family owned textile store as well.
Report Post »Do what you can to perserve the small mom and pop shops it just more American.
dirtydog1776
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:38amSorry, but I am gonna pat myself on the back. Long before it was fashionable, I patronized and supported my local, hometown businesses. Not only was the service and selection usually better, but I found I was saving money because of the good advice I was getting.
I have supported my locally owned department stores, insurance companies, pizza parlors, optometrists, restaurants, hardware stores, video stores…..the list goes on.
Since the advent of McDonald’s and the demise of J.L Hudson in Detroit, most Americans think that good service consists of a plastic, fake smile and a phony, “Welcome to……”
Report Post »lynda1276
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:31amI love Chagrin Falls, Ohio! I grew up in a small town near there…been to that hardware store many times. If you are ever in that area, great shops and restaurants and beautiful town with the falls in the middle! The 1977 movie The Gathering with Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton was filmed there.
Report Post »Oh, God!
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:14amWe have one of these hardware stores here in Farmers Branch, TX, called Turner Hardware. They have anything and everything and when you walk in they can tell you exactly where to find what you are looking for, down to which shelf it is on. Great customer service. One place I go to for canning supplies because they always have this in stock.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:23amAnything to stop the big retail giants that are flooding our market with cheap crap at the expense of American workers and local businesses would be ideal. Unfortunately most people just want more stuff and don’t get that spending a little more to get quality products and help your fellow citizen is a more responsible use of their money.
Report Post »CulperGang
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:03amjust goes to show when the 99% pull together the 1% is annihilated. Wal-Mart is a purveryor of poision. It still sells goods with aspertame. It still sells products with flouride. So the OWs should not hate “Corporations?” Monsanto huge corporation another purveyor of poisions. Do you 99% get it now??? By sticking together we can stick it to the 1%
oh and check this patriot out, if we all did this we could really stick it to Barry
Report Post »http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread433051/pg1
COFemale
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:11amI think you have it wrong – the 99% who have no jobs, poop on sidewalks, live in tents in parks did not pull together for this store. It was the 53% and the 1% who have jobs, who don’t poop on sidewalks and live in their own homes or apartments, paying rent, utilities etc.
So go back to your pathetic tent and leave the adult topics for the adults.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:20am@ culp
Report Post »You, I’m afraid, will never get it…
angeleyes63
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:42amGo back to your brainwashed it’s not my fault hand out existence, and clean up your own poop.
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:56am@CULPERGANG
You sound clueless…. “Do you get it now?”
Report Post »JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:00amThis percentile breakdown is such BS. I think that 100% of the people that refer to it are idiots………
Report Post »justangry
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:49amI love small town Ohio.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:14amThis story reminds me of what Beck did for Wilmington Ohio. ALL things are possible folks
Report Post »Kinnison
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:43amIt’s not just a “cash mob” in a small town Ohio family hardware store. It is good people in small towns all over this nation. It is a sense of community, where neighbors help neighbors. It is the people in the “fly-over states”, far from Washington, D.C., Manhattan and Hollywood, who know their neighbors, whose kids can still play unsupervised in their neighborhoods without the danger of tripping over dirty needles in the gutters, and who care deeply about their communities and the other people in them. It is the unsophisticated heart and soul of America, the part that D.C., Manhattan and Hollywood will never understand. And they are the poorer for it.
Report Post »teddyc73
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:44amGreat story. I wish the news was filled with more stuff like this rather then the endless negative stories where the “mobs” are there to disrupt the business or protest some ridiculous cause. So this was great. My only question/concern is whether all those shoppers will continue to return to this store. Only then will the store continue to stay in business. Let’s hope so.
Report Post »goofyfoot2001
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:41amOh and FIX the damn COMMENT SORT!!!!!!
Report Post »teddyc73
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:44amRelax.
Report Post »goofyfoot2001
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:02amNot until our voices are heard! Join the SORT PARTY NOW!
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:12amNobody is requiring you to post or read, don’t like the way this site works, then leave. We won‘t miss you and please don’t let the door hit you on your way out.
Report Post »goofyfoot2001
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:40amGood stuff! LOVE those old hardware stores. There’s one in Aberdeen NC called Burney Hardware that has the coolest stuff. My uncle owned a wholesale company that supplied them and you just don’t find this stuff at biog box stores.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:39amI live in Stoneham, Massachusetts. We have a hardware store like that called Rounds. I‘m not too sure off the top of my head how long they’ve been there, but at least 1960. Probably longer. They could use the business, too.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:35amWe had a family owned hardware store here and it was truly the BEST. It was like having an uncle who had whatever you needed to do your project. Not a lot of any items but the variety was amazing and they would always know exactly the right product or tool and if they didn’t stock it they would ha e it for you in a couple of days and call when it came in. Miss those guys.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:22amI love going into a small hardware store. It’s like a kid in a candy store for me. I always try to by locally, if possible.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:45amI bought a lot of my emergency/survival supplies at my local hardware store. It’s been in business since 1867.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:19amWhen Americans come together miracles happen!! God Bless America…..
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:17amGreat job people!
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:15amAll kidding aside this the kind of story I would love to read everyday……..Good people coming together to help good people continue keep an Aamerican tradition alive…
Report Post »Sam Club and Walmart and other like them are the devils of main street America the mom and pop store,that nostalgia that is American as apple pie.
liriadavila
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:12amWe have to be united and support our local stores in our communities. It is hard, but anytime I can, I try to buy Made in USA products. In Fort Myers I found many american products.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:10amEnemy-obama will make sure that this business closes its doors – Success is not allowed, in obama’s America.
Report Post »pghpatriot
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:32pmTRI-OX
I don’t think that is exactly true. Success in obamaland is allowed and encouraged IF it is government and/or union controlled or subsidized. A non government small business risks the capital of the tax payer who is trying to establish the business. In a government controlled business (i.e. GM bailout; Solyndra) ALL tax payer’s capital is risked (and lost.)
Report Post »Slowman101
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:10amAwesome story. This needs to happen more often.
Report Post »wboehmer
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:40amSo, you think artificial rallies to save mom & pop businesses which no longer compete is some kind of answer?
You are spitting in the wind!
Report Post »RejectFalseIcons
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:05pmWhat are you talking about? The advertizing provided by the people who forwarded the e-mail is essentially charitable work to raise awareness to a business in trouble. Do you think Home Depot could count on its customers this way? No, of course not… they’d call their Washington Man to rig a bailout.
The fact that each of these people went to the store and bought something shows that the store has value to the community running exactly as it does right now. It’s that community value that differentiates the small shop from the big box. It’s definitely not to be found anywhere, but for this town, keeping the small shop in business was a favorable outcome to them.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:10amIncredible and wonderful idea that worked so well.
Report Post »Possum45
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:03amNo!…….No!……..No!……….you silly sheeple!!!!!!!!
Keep shopping at walmart, we want all little, mom, pop,
Report Post »Hometown, backbone of America stores to go out of
Business!!!
HuskerDave
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:30amSome haters just.. hate…
The ‘big box’ stores are a wonderful thing; and so are the local stores. Go support whichever you prefer.
When you’re done – back under the bridge, troll.
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:02amIf only we could do that in every town then we would would have less of out historical districts empty and going into decay.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:02amWe have one too, a little wood floored one on State Rd in Cuyahoga Falls, and we use it as much as we can-we do not want to loose it. This is a great idea, I hope it catches on.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:58amGrass roots the right way.The opposite to these fine patriots are the ‘flash mobs’. Support small businesses!!
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:03amHoly crap,I heard they happened ,but I didn’t believe it,however there’s no denying it with the photo as evidence……..WHITE FLASH MOB
Report Post »