(For those who haven't been by in Austin, this is your last chance to patronize Glen (hah) at his Obama Store on East 11th before it closes Tuesday night. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
On Tuesday, March 21st, "The Obama Store" will close its physical location in East Austin at 1111 E 11th Street. It has been quite an experience. Come by before Tuesday to grab some memorabilia before we pack it up. Open 11 am to 7 pm!
Before the November 4th election, I really had no intention to become proprietor of a retail establishment. But as the excitement and pride in Barack Obama's historic victory settled in on election night, I wondered if that energy would continue.
The answer was waiting at about 9 am on the morning after in the person of dozens of people standing outside the Travis Count Democratic Party HQ. I had driven over to pick up my phone and some other personal things from the office. The staff had not planned to be there after a full night of celebration, but no one told the community,
When I got out of my car, I was almost mobbed by folks who wanted "stuff". And at that moment, "The Obama Store" idea was born. I found a location, called all the vendors I knew and ordered merchandise, and set up shop.
The original idea was to stay open through Christmas and the Inauguration, but we extended our lease for two additional months.
Not only was the store idea a great business proposition, but it also was an amazing venue to watch people express their happiness about the change that Barack Obama represented.
Thousands of people have been through the store. From the beginning we permitted "non-Texans" to sign our wall with their message about Obama. People representing over 40 US states and as many foreign countries have visited us.
I'll cherish the memories of elderly African American grandmothers shopping with their great grandchildren. There were hundreds of kids field buying their button or shirt about their new hero--- one who wasn't on a music stage or a sports field. And the pure joy on everyone's face when they walked through the door. How exciting to hear little kids say as they left the store, "I'm going to be President, too."
While the physical store will close, we'll continue peddling our "history" at events and festivals. Look for us at First Thursday on South Congress and other events throughout the year! You can also still visit us at www.TheObamaStoreOnline.com. |
