Emery's 5 & 10 store gets first 'cash mob'

Ron Emery, owner of Emery’s 5 & 10 at Chapman Highway and Moody, should benefit from county's first 'cash mob'

To the surprise of no one, the first location to receive a visit from the “Knox Cash Mob” is Emery's 5 & 10 on Chapman Highway.

This is according to the latest Big “Michael Grider” Sexy spin release which touts the announcement as “after more than a week of anticipation . . . .”

Burchett is urging residents to show their support by spending a few dollars at a yet-to-be named business via a cash mob, a concept that encourages people to show up at the same time at a small business and attack it with commerce.

The idea, according to county Mayor Tim Burchett, is to hold these so-called cash mobs at various small businesses all over the county, with the first few in South Knoxville, which the rest of the city generally treats like an ugly stepchild. Burchett was inspired to organize a cash mob to help boost sales after seeing a news report of a successful one held at a hardware store in Ohio.

Business has been slow for some south side operations ever since construction started on the Henley Street Bridge.

According to Grider's big spin:

“Emery’s is a local institution, and this business represents so much of what is good about our local entrepreneurs,” Burchett said. “I hope everyone will come to South Knoxville tomorrow and spend $5 or $10 at Emery’s, or any other South Knoxville business.”

Cash mob participants are asked to visit the store sometime between 5 and 7 p.m.

Emery’s 5 & 10 opened in 1927 and is a third-generation business. According to the store’s website, it is the oldest family-owned 5 & 10 store in the United States. Owner Ron Emery is a former U.S. Marine. He was wounded in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart. His father also served in U.S. Military and was a bomber pilot during World War II.