The Buffalo Cash Mob returns with a vengeance at 5:30 p.m. Friday at El Buen Amigo, the Latin American Cultural Association located at 114 Elmwood Ave.

If you’re unfamiliar with the setup of cash mobs, the intention is to spur the local economy by supporting small business—Thin Ice and Chow Chocolat are past examples. Each attendee is asked to spend $10 minimum at the chosen destination—in the case of El Buen Amigo, there are authentic and affordable Latin American fair trade gifts available for purchase (see their online store listings here).

You’re invited to join fellow Cash Mobbers for drinks at Cantina Loco—just down the road—or drive over to the festivities at Main (St)udios’ first-anniversary party for an art-filled evening.

Unlike Groupon or other daily deal sites that are designed to help medium and large local businesses by increasing business by offering discounted products, the cash mob is a more controlled setting that isn’t intended to overwhelm or put small businesses at risk. Creator Christopher Smith, who’s heavily involved at Artvoice and participates in a regular Trending Buffalo podcast, has sparked an idea that’s caught on in over 500 cities in five continents while raising over $700,000. Smith discussed the roots of the cash mob idea at yesterday’s TEDx conference.