Members of the Strategic Referral Exchange decided to help local businesses by launching the first of what they hope is an occasional series of visits to Gloucester stores to give a sudden boost to that small business.

Dayton Wiese, president of the group, said that about a dozen members descended upon Angelwing Stationers on Main Street, Gloucester, one morning recently to spend about $20 each to help the local economy. Many of those who took part had never been in the shop, Wiese said, and were surprised to find so many cards, gift and stationery items there.

The concept of the program, called "Cash Mob," is to surprise a business with extra sales, Wiese said. But because of work hours of the referral group’s members, arrangements were made with Angelwing Stationers owner LuAnn Nagel for the store to open one hour early.

Nagel said she was glad to get some extra business and that several people that weren’t with the group also saw that the shop was open ...