Fla$h Mob makes a splash at mall

In a flash they were there.

About 25 persons suddenly appeared at Bloomfield Plaza Wednesday, sporting blinking neckwear and with shopping on their minds.

Such was the arrival of the Progressive Fla$h Mob, a conglomeration of members of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber and Township representatives who piled into Bloomfield Plaza to boost Township businesses.

"I'm here to show my support for the Chamber and local business people," said Art Babian, of the Arthur E. Babian Health Insurance Agency, who was part of the Fla$h Mob.

"We did this in Birmingham, and it was successful for the businesses," said Monica Haider, a Chamber Board member.

The group, led by Chamber Membership Manager Danielle Workman, met at the Great Lakes Coffee Company at the Maple Theater then went into the mall, stopping at various stores. The sudden influx of people was good for business and helped promote the Chamber to stores that were not Chamber members, Workman said.

The event concluded with a happy hour at Bagger Dave's.

Among those representing Bloomfield Township in the Fla$h Mob were Clerk Jan Roncelli and Trustee Corrine Khederian.

The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber represents businesses in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin.

Article by Bloomfield Township's Greg Kowalski.  Greg welcomes feedback at gkowalski@bloomfieldtwp.org.