A friendly “cash mob” descended on Kathleen’s Gallery in Saluda Friday, Feb. 28 to purchase some of the store’s unique gifts, and also support owner Kathleen Carson who is battling cancer.

At least 30 local residents livened up the store, beginning at 11 a.m.

Saluda commissioners Carolyn Ashburn and Lynn Cass helped organize the event through the city’s Small Town Main Street’s economic restructuring committee, said Cass.

She said the event (two more are planned for the last Fridays in March and April at locations not yet announced) was designed as a “community-building exercise and (for) supporting small businesses.”

Ashburn said Saluda officials who attended a Small Town Main Street conference in Salisbury thought, “this would be a good thing to do in Saluda.” From the reactions of shoppers, that was an accurate prediction.

Participants pledged to spend at least $20 during the event. Many of the participants met later for lunch at the Purple Onion restaurant, just down Main Street.