Obama gear a hot seller in Atlanta

If there was any doubt that President Barack Obama has achieved iconic status, go no further than Underground Atlanta, where Obama shirts were stacked alongside those with Jimi Hendrix’ and Marvin Gaye’s likenesses.

Or how about the glittery shirt saying, “Barack Star” and or simply “President.”

But perhaps most telling was the small line forming outside of the shop named Best of Atlanta.

The attraction? A lifesized cut-out of the president.

Stephanie Rushin of College Park and Jerome Banks of Norcross paused to get their shot with the newly inaugurated president’s cardboard doppelganger.

They were walking by when the cutout caught their eye. They had just watched the inauguration from Centennial Olympic Park, and Rushin, who had the day off from the district attorney’s office, was on the prowl for a good deal on Obama shirts.

Many were too expensive, she noted. Then she turned and saw an Obama/Biden campaign shirt for $9.99.

“That’s just what I was looking for,” she said.

Store clerk Adam Gamlouch said the lifesized image of Obama, however, has been the real draw. And sales in Underground Atlanta had slowed on Tuesday, after product moved briskly on Monday.

But store clerk Fanke Banjo in African Pride thinks the shirts, posters and pins will sell for the next four years.

“It’s history,” she said. “So everyone will want to buy it, then buy the new edition.”

Meanwhile, out in Barbara Asher Plaza near the Five Points MARTA station, Dwight Lewis of Alpharetta was selling everything from $25 Obama sweatshirts to $3 magnets.

“Everything’s selling,” he said around 1 p.m. on Tuesday. “Today’s been real good since I’ve been open at 7:30 a.m.”

But perhaps it was mobile vendor Marshall Williams who was having the best day. The West End resident and Detroit native wasn’t feeling the chill as he had already sold 150 Obama pins by 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

“This is nothing to me,” he said of the sub-freezing temperatures. He had on about two layers of clothing, but his most promininent fashion statement were the pins.

The best seller? Obama with his family, featured prominently on his bright red hat.