‘Carrotmob’ to converge on businesses in Charleston to better environment

The Carrotmob is intended to leverage consumers’ buying power to persuade companies to effect changes to better the environment. Several locally owned coffee shops, corner markets and grocery stores were asked to determine what percentage of one-day sales they would spend on retrofits to increase their energy efficiency. Carrotmob participants will patronize the business that agreed to the largest percentage on April 11.

Staff Report
Published March 25, 2009

Green Drinks Charleston is launching its first “Carrotmob” on April 11 in downtown Charleston.

Carrotmobs are groups of consumers who organize to buy products from businesses that they deem to be making socially responsible decisions. The idea originated in San Francisco.

The Carrotmob is intended to leverage consumers’ buying power to persuade companies to effect changes to better the environment.

“Think of it as the opposite of a boycott with a little healthy competition thrown in the mix,” said Jason Cronen, the organizer of Green Drinks Charleston and the upcoming Carrotmob.

Green Drinks Charleston invited several locally owned coffee shops, corner markets and grocery stores to participate in the first event.

The businesses were asked to determine what percentage of one-day sales they would be willing to spend on retrofits to increase their energy efficiency. The business that agreed to the largest percentage will be chosen, and participants will visit the business on April 11 and buy merchandise.

The following businesses were invited:

Kudu Coffee – 4 Vanderhorst St.
Charlie’s Market – Radcliffe Street
Caviar & Bananas – 51 George St.
Alchemy Coffee – 11 Magnolia Road (West Ashley)
Broad Street Market and Cafe – 310 Broad St.
Queen Street Grocery – 133 Queen St.
Wentworth Station – 131 Wentworth St.
King Street Station – 356 King St.
Kennedy’s Market – 60 Calhoun St.
Bull Street Gourmet – 60 Bull St.
Baked – 160 East Bay St.
Burbage’s – 157 Broad St.
Kaminsky’s – 78 N. Market St.
The Vegetable Bin – 10 Society St.
City Lights – 141 Market St.

“It is a win-win-win scenario for the business owner, the consumer, and the community at large,” Cronen said.

The location, which is kept secret until the Carrotmob convenes, will be revealed to participants in a couple of weeks.

Future Carrotmob events will focus on dry cleaners, law firms versus accounting firms, bicycle-friendly initiatives, bars and restaurants, music stores and other businesses.