Bruce Wynn threw the strap of his new all-purpose utility bag over his shoulder.

The executive director of the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce was the first customer at the register at Simplicity Decor as a “cash mob,” assembled under his leadership, descended on the small Park Lane business in downtown Kirkland on Wednesday afternoon.

As the new executive director, Wynn is putting his money where his mouth is. He called for a cash mob at the business on Wednesday as an effort to support local small businesses.

A cash mob event is mirrored after flash mobs, where people show up at the same location to do a choreographed dance. With cash mobs, the group shows in mass at a particular business to shop.

It was the first cash mob of more to come, said Wynn.

Chamber members were asked to show up at Simplicity Decor at noon ready to spend at least $10.

“I’m not much of a shopper,” said Wynn, showing off his new green bag – a $59.95 purchase. However, he said, the event was a good way for him to visit a small business like Simplicity Decor to see what they have to offer.

“That’s a challenge for a lot of small businesses,” said Wynn, adding that with these types of events, people can see what businesses have to offer “and then they become regular customers.”

Throughout the afternoon, Chamber members – such as Ruthie Smith, retail banking manager of Opus Bank, and Lake Street Diamonds owner Vince Issacson – browsed through the various home and office furnishings and decorations at Simplicity Decor.

Store owner A. Suraphong said he just heard about the event on Wednesday morning and posted an announcement on his Facebook. His business did around 20 sales because of the cash mob event.

“I am so appreciative,” said Suraphong, who is a Chamber Board member. “That’s about 20 people more than we would have had if we didn’t have the cash mob. I really appreciate what the chamber tried to do and those who came out. Everybody came in because they wanted to show support and that’s what it’s all about.”

More information

Contact Simplicity Decor at 425-803-0386.

Contact the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce at 425-822-7066 or www.kirklandchamber.org/