The Old Company Store was hit by a cash mob on Saturday.

Though it sounds like a frightening concept, it's a happy one. A local store is chosen to be "mobbed" on a certain day, and shoppers are asked to make cash purchases to boost the economy.

The nationwide trend — cash mobs across the country can be found at www.cashmob.com — was brought to Wareham by Fun107, after organizers at the radio station heard that the Old Company Store's Shari Aussant is working to put together monthly cash mobs to descend on Wareham and Onset businesses.

Fun107 decided to kick off Aussant's effort with a cash mob at her own store.

Cash is, naturally, key during cash mobs. Though credit and debt card purchases are certainly accepted, businesses have to pay fees for those services that cut into the bottom line, so cash purchases are celebrated.

As a thank-you to customers who paid in paper rather than plastic, Aussant offered discounts on a future purchase, and Fun107 raffled off various gift certificates.

"It has everything to do with supporting the community," said Aussant.

The cash mob coincided with the store's Relive the '50s party, which featured an antique car show, '50s cover band Daddy-O!, a hula-hooping contest hosted by KinderCare, and other family-friendly fun.

"It was really, really busy today," Aussant said before pausing to cheer for one of Daddy-O!'s '50s hits. "This helped us, and we're going to spread it out."

Aussant is organizing monthly cash mobs in town. She is still buttoning up her plan, but is encouraging the community to connect to the Old Company Store on Twitter (www.twitter.com/oldcompanystore) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/oldcompany), where voting will soon open to determine whose business will next be mobbed!