The river's end bookstore, Oswego, N.Y. "was flooded with customers April 9 as a result of a student-run cash mob," the Oswegonian reported. Oswego State creative writing assistant professor Donna Steiner helped orchestrate the event for the second straight year as part of her Literary Citizenship class, which "is meant to provide students with the tools to become successful, active writers in the community." Approximately 150 customers participated.
"The students get experience in planning an event, which is a really big thing for writers, because you plan your own readings," Steiner said. "So these are all aspiring writers and creative people, so it pertains to what their future looks like and it's just kind of a cool activity that benefits everyone. Everyone that's involved gets something out of it."
Connections formed during the event "don't only flow one way," the Oswegonian noted, adding that the bookstore "has long been involved with the campus and the creative writing department, hosting readings, art shows and release parties for the Great Lake Review, Oswego State's student-run literary magazine."
Bookstore co-owner Bill Riley has spoken to classes on campus and hosted a few classes held in the shop. "When we opened the store 17 years ago, we wanted to create a space that was conducive to everyone," he said. "Inclusive, not exclusive, that would be a place where town and gown could meet. And we think that in over 17 years, we've accomplished that."
He also observed that the success of cash mobs is largely due to increased interest in independent businesses: "The other thing that's contributing to the viability of that is this whole 'buy local, shop local' movement that's been very active for years now, but has really begun to take hold. We really have seen it over the last five years that people understand the economic impact on supporting locally owned, independent businesses in the community or anywhere. It works."
