Vendors fill D.C. streets with goods

USA Today's Jason Paul reports on the Obamamania trinkets in an article entitled, "Vendors fill D.C. streets with goods":

Thousands will evaluate Tuesday's inauguration of President Barack Obama not only by its historical significance but also by the sales of buttons, T-shirts and bobbleheads.

"Tis the season to sell Obama," said Yakimiyah Binyamin, an actor and student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York.

Hawkers of Obama-related gifts and items numbered in the hundreds leading up to today. But closer to 2,000 — many, such as Binyamin, without proper credentials — are expected on Washington's streets, sidewalks and parks, greeting the more than 2 million people expected to descend on the district.

Binyamin, who planned to spend his inaugural holiday selling Obama calendars ($10 each), hopes the emotional draw of a new administration will help his church group sell out its inaugural stockpile. The 2,000 copies of the monthly planner weren't selling on Friday, but Binyamin remained optimistic. "It's almost like the Christmas sprit, but for a new president."

The Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs issued 700 vending licenses and promised space for 1,000 more spots in high-traffic areas outside designated zones. When the DCRA held a lottery last month to determine who would be licensed to sell, between 3,000 and 5,000 applications were received.

Vendors such as Binyamin, who plans on returning to New York after his holiday break ends on Wednesday, are seeking high rewards, but they face risk.

He said he needed to sell his inventory this week. He declined to share how much of an investment he had made.

Some vendors set up shop in permanent locations such as at the Obama Gift Center, steps from the White House. Others work kiosks in busy Metro stations or local malls.

Street vendors are pushing the typical inaugural buttons and T-shirts. But at the Obama Gift Center, specialty items such as Obama hot sauce ($12.95) and Obama energy packets ($6.95) are blowing street side competitors out of the water — a bottle of which, by the way, featuring Obama's picture, is $11.95.

"Generally, it's the same stuff you see walking around D.C. most of the year," said Lee Smith, a Washington attorney. This year, however, he says people are getting creative:

• Audacity of Soap ($6)

• Obama Mr. Potato Head ($10)

• Obama bobblehead ($19.99)

• Obama action figure ($14.95)

• Obama cuff links ($19.95)

• Obalma lip balm ($10)

Smith, who planned to attend an Obama inauguration party Friday, shopped for the perfect tie. "They're not very good-looking, but I thought it would be fun if I wore the worst possible Obama tie I could find," he said.

The Obama mania could be good news for year-round street vendors who, on a normal day, move $100 worth of merchandise. Inaugural traffic is giving hope of 10 times that amount.

For those who couldn't make the trek into Washington, there is always the Internet and TV. Sites such as eBay and inauguralcollectibles.com offer shoppers a chance to cash in. Shopping channel QVC is hosting a "Live from the Inaugural Ball" show that will feature what it calls "unique collectibles."

The options seem endless. Ellen Brown, a tourist from Carlton, Texas, warned her fellow shoppers about buying junk.

"There is so much out there, you have to pick and choose," Brown said, as she walked along U Street in Washington. "You don't want to buy any old thing."

Still, some street vendors are moving their Obama gear despite the competition and weather.

"When the business is good, I don't feel the cold," said a bundled Tracy Wang. "Right now, I'm hot."