No, not that mob.
I was one of about 40 people who turned out to mob downtown Riverhead with love and money this morning.
It was a great turnout for the first-ever cash mob to hit Riverhead's once-bustling Main Street — especially considering the cold, damp air and lightly falling snow.
We gathered in the parking lot behind the old Swezey's building, pulled out our $20 bills and smiled for the cameras. We formed several groups and proceeded to various Main Street destinations: One cluster headed east to Pieceful Quilting, another went to the Green Earth Grocery, yet another to Barth's Drug Store.
My group set out for Barth's, where we perused the new and expanded selection of gift items — nice job, Judy! — picked out some Valentine's cards and Russell Stover candies. There were about 10 of us. The clerk at the counter asked, "What is this?"
"We're the Cash Mob!" we answered in (sort of) unison.
She looked puzzled.
Mobber Diane Reeve got a kick out of the young clerk's confusion. "I put flyers on both doors," she said. "Oh well. Just goes to show you people don't read signs on doors!"
I picked up a Valentine for my sweetie. Desiree Passantino found it first, but since they'd be going to different people, we decided it was OK for me to get the same card for Peter that she was getting for Louis. They'll never know. (Unless they read this, of course.)
I also bought a Russell Stover candy heart for no one in particular.
Upon exiting Barth's our group split in two, with some going into the Red Collection, and others taking a stroll west to Griffing Hardware.
I had a couple of keys cut while I was there. Amy Davidson bought a cast iron griddle. We browsed around. I could spend a whole day in the aisles of Griffing Hardware. No matter how much you look around, you always find something you hadn't seen before. There's just so much...stuff. I always wonder how the guys that work there always know exactly where everything is. But they do. My father-in-law worked at the hardware store after he retired from the telephone company, and going in there always reminds me of him. This makes me happy and sad at the same time.
After we left Griffing, the remainder of our group split some more. Amy and her husband Daniel Kulp went into the vacuum store, while my daughter, Courtney, my sister-in-law Debbie Goroleski and her neighbor Barbara Salvesen all went into Jeans Town on East Main Street. I'd never been in there before. (And they've been in business for 10 years, according to the manager, a man named Yogi.) They've got a lot more than jeans packed into that little store. Lots of clothes for men and women and a large assortment of boots and sneakers, too. Courtney picked out a pair of really nice boots for herself ($50). Yogi was very nice and went out of his way to be helpful. I think he thought I was kooky when I slapped a smiley-face heart on his chest. But he appreciated the business.
We were about to go into Robert James Salon when my husband called to ask me to cover the demolition of the house on East Avenue where there was a fire this morning. (He was busy getting our dogs groomed.) That forced us to cut our little shopping excursion short. Debbie and Barbara carried on without us. They ended their spree at Riverhead Flower Shop, where Debbie bought a lovely scarf. The florist had a 10-percent-off special for Cash Mobbers.
All in all, it was a fun time. The best part was getting together with people — family, old friends and new acquaintances alike — who all love Riverhead.
Speaking of which — special thanks to Nancy Swett, who's made loving Riverhead her avocation. She heard about a cash mob in Bellport last month and thought it would be a great thing to do in downtown Riverhead. I was excited to hear about the plan and offered to help her promote it.
Today's event got me out of the house and away from this damned computer. I got some fresh air, took a nice walk, chatted with friends, learned that Amy Davidson and I share a love of hardware stores, and daydreamed a little about opening a cafe book store on Main Street (featuring used books, strong coffee and, of course, free wireless.) What do you think?
I miss the old Riverhead, when you could spend a whole day walking on Main Street, going from store to store, shopping for clothes, shoes, jewelry, greeting cards, toys, stationery supplies, books, records, and ... well, just about anything. Not enough of us spent enough time doing that, I suppose. Shame on us for that. But the good news is: We've got a chance to make it up to this old town. It's re-emerging, and with a little cash and a lot of love, Riverhead's Main Street will be a bustling place once more.