The city of Pleasanton, Pleasanton Downtown Association, Tri-Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce and Hacienda Business Park are working together to encourage the public to shop in Pleasanton on Small Business Saturday today.

The campaign is aimed at helping Pleasanton businesses promote themselves on this special shopping day devoted to small businesses.

Shoppers can receive a $25 credit from American Express when they register their cards and purchase $25 or more in a single transaction from a qualified business today, according to Judy Wheeler, owner of Towne Center Books, which is one of the locations on Main Street where the cards can be registered.

The PDA also announced that downtown Pleasanton's new shopping initiative, Cash Mobs, will return on January 16 and will continue throughout 2013 at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.

In the new year, all Cash Mob participants will be entered into a monthly drawing to win downtown gift cards, accepted at more than 100 downtown businesses.

Cash Mobs are popping up throughout the country as a way to encourage consumers to shop at local, independently-owned retail establishments and thereby strengthen the local economy.

Laura Olson, executive director of the PDA, said "Cash Mobs will give us all an opportunity to have a measurable impact on the businesses in our downtown."


So, how does it work? A Cash Mob is like a Flash Mob, but instead of singing, dancing or rioting, Cash Mobbers join together and each spend $20 (or more!) at a local business.

Anyone interested in participating in the Cash Mob should meet PDA staff members in front of the Museum on Main, 603 Main St. at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month. The PDA will then announce the business selected by random draw for the Cash Mob. Participants will walk to the business together and have fun shopping and getting to know that business.

Those who cannot make it to the Museum should check the PDA's Facebook page for the selected business and address information.

The rules of the PDA's Cash Mob are simple…
1. Spend $20 (or more!) at the selected business.
2. Get to know your fellow Cash Mobbers.
3. Have fun!

Cash Mobbers are encouraged to stay downtown and continue shopping or have a bite to eat after the Mob

For more information, visit the PDA's Facebook page or call the PDA at (925) 484-2199.

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