Shuttered souvenir shops reflect Bush’s low ratings - Sheehan part of the "blame"

[powergirl]

I'm a proud Texan and I am thrilled about this. I like how one Bush souvenir shop also sells "crosses, saddles, guns and Western clothing in addition to coffee mugs, T-shirts.

Shuttered souvenir shops reflect Bush’s low ratings

A CLOSER LOOK

By Angela K. Brown THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


CRAWFORD, Texas— Near the lone stoplight on Main Street, a for-sale sign hangs from a dusty window where a souvenir shop used to sell cufflinks, cowboy boots and denim shirts emblazoned “The Western White House.” Another gift store across the street is shuttered too, though a sign says it will reopen elsewhere. And the biggest souvenir shop in Crawford is reporting a drop in sales.


(cut)

“I feel so strongly about the president that I wanted to continue to support him any way I could,” she said. “But I’m distressed about the poll numbers and think it was a combination of things: that and the protesters.”

(cut)

Crow suggested the anti-war demonstrations that Cindy Sheehan started in Crawford in 2005 have led some tourists to stay away.

“When the president would be home, more people would come hoping to get a glimpse of him,” she said. “But with the frustrations caused by the protesters, it wasn’t as popular to come to Crawford and pick up trinkets.”

(cut)

Bill Johnson, owner of Crawford’s largest gift shop, Yellow Rose, said he plans to continue running his store, which also sells crosses, saddles, guns and Western clothing in addition to coffee mugs, T-shirts and other souvenirs. “I think the president’s ratings will go up, and when that happens, the sales go up,” he said. “As far as Crawford’s future, I think it looks bright. Is it going to be as hectic as it was a few years ago? No. But Crawford’s name is known far and wide, and when he retires, people who are endeared to him will want to come to Crawford.”

More at the link
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070207/NEWS/702070514

[yardwork]

1. How could the protesters have been BAD for business?

The protesters didn't block traffic or interfere with anyone else coming to Crawford. And the protesters themselves probably contributed to the local economy while they were there. So it makes no sense that the protesters could have hurt business in Crawford. If anything, they were the only ones keeping it afloat for a while!

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. It is a right way of thinking

locally I face it with a local store

their sales are goign down and they have scared their regulars

but... they blame people like me and not their lousy manager

It is about NOT taking responsibilty

[Turbineguy]

2. Weeeelllll.....

I hate to see somebody go out of business, but ya know, ya gotta give the customers what they want. How about selling those little yellow flags with a likeness of Bush for people to stick into some dog shit to warn the next person they are about to step into some dog shit?

I mean... there must be many interesting products on the market that they could sell in their stores.

[Kixel]

20. Exactly!

I thought the same thing when reading it. It's marketing 101.

[tridim]

3. Did repukes actually take their vacations in Crawford, pre-30%?

I don't think it gets much more pathetic than that. Is there anything in Crawford besides that gift shop? It's not like they can visit the pig farm, or even get anywhere near it.

[damntexdem]

9. Well, I've been there in the Texas August to protest and ...

I rather doubt that many Rethugs went there in that month to vacation.

[Blue Fire]

4. If souvenir shops in *'s own home town are hurting

that must mean he's faltering in his duties?:rofl:

[damntexdem]

11. Well, Crawford isn't really his home town.

It's just near the pig farm he bought to raise and cut brush.

[China_cat]

15. The Crawford newspaper

refused to support him in 04 for president.

[Botany]

6. All over but the shouting .... bush no longer sells in Crawford Tex ASS

Will the last bush supporter (Sean Hannity) please turn out the lights
when you leave.

[Graybeard]

7. SMU doesn't want the Bush Library on their campus...

...how long before the Repukes blame Cindy Sheehan for that too?

[Botany]

10. Well you know that Cindy Sheehan and Bill Clinton were lovers, don't you?

Damn Americans exercising their constitutional rights.

[damntexdem]

12. Hey, if they want to give Cindy the credit, let them.

He can find somewhere else for his coloring books and "My Pet Goat."

[damntexdem]

8. And maybe when they're in Crawford, they can get on a phone and ...

call the prison to talk to him. ;-)

[Doctor_J]

13. Well, right after he gets booted out of office he'll be selling the pig farm

anyway. So Crawford can go back to being a speck in the dust bowl

[tridim]

16. I'm guessing he'll never set foot in Texas again after he's gone

and he'll never go to church again either. All that stuff was just an act.

[Redbear]

17. Hey now, Crawford is actually a lovely place

and it will be again starting sometime in the near future.

[DUHandle]

14. It's hard to find

Wrangler Painted Desert shirts these days.

[derby378]

18. There were counter-protesters near those souvenir shops

One of them started shouting incoherently at everyone who looked like they were part of Camp Casey. Good times...

[windbreeze]

19. someone needs to tell this guy, that the *'s are moving to Paraquay? n/t

[Greyhound]

21. "...But Crawford’s name is known far and wide..."

LOL! He should talk to those folks in San Clemente. The fact that the, heretofore, worst president in history had his house there kept their property values relatively suppressed for years.