RNC Notebook: Where a convention goes, T-shirt stands sure to follow

Published 12:30 pm Thursday, July 21, 2016

CLEVELAND — Timothy Moore stood next to a table piled with all sorts of Donald Trump souvenirs and merchandise, hoping to attract the notice of delegates and visitors to the Republican National Convention.

He did. His most popular fare: “Make America Great Again” ball caps selling for $20, and “Hillary for Prison 2016” T-shirts and buttons.

“My dad knew a guy who went to Trump rallies, and I got a job,” Moore said at the concession on East Fourth Street in Cleveland, steps from the Quicken Loans Arena, where the convention is taking place.

Moore said he’s been to 8 to 10 rallies for the Republican nominee, “and we are always really busy.”

Nestled into the throng of delegates and protesters in Cleveland this week was a pop-up outdoor market of political memorabilia and merchandise, and food.

Tourism officials throughout the area reported crowds for other businesses, too – hotels, restaurants and wineries – spurred by visiting Republicans and sunny weather.

Gabe Taxman, a print artist from Cleveland Heights, parked a truck on Public Square, just blocks from the convention arena, and sold Cleveland T-shirts that he’d designed for the occasion, with his cloud insignia.

Convention-goers and tourists flocked to his truck, and he took the time to chat with everyone who stopped to browse or buy.

“This is me being the fullest I can be as an artist,” he said. “I want to share the culture, the history and the arts of Cleveland.”

Nearby, at Papa Nick’s food truck, manager Mary Kelly said pizza, calzones, meatballs and tater tots were crowd favorites, though none was as popular as a life-size, cardboard version of Trump. Kelly happily obliged customers who wanted their picture taken.

Along Euclid Avenue, Rocky Ranoto, from New Jersey, pushed a small cart filled with political buttons including some that said: “Hot Chicks for Trump” and “Bernie Sanders for President.” 

“I’m not selling as much as I hoped,” he said.

Artist Patti McPhillips was selling pins that she’d designed and made, but her most popular item was a $20 Donald Trump bobble head.

At a table on East Fourth Street, Cleveland resident Scott Jefferson offered Republicans in town a bit of nostalgia — T-shirts that said “Reagan and Bush ’84.”

“We do a lot of Trump rallies, and I saw people wearing them,” he said. “So, we decided to sell them, and it’s been very successful.”

Ronnie Rytel of Buffalo, New York, planted himself and his wares at the edge of Public Square. He offered Cleveland Cavaliers, Trump and RNC T-shirts and hats.

“I am selling more anti-Hillary items than pro-Trump,” he observed. “They might not like him, but they sure as hell don’t like her.”

Shelley Terry is a reporter for The Ashtabula Star-Beacon. Reach her at sterry@starbeacon.com