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Palin merchandise selling quick

by Angela Blanchard
Monday, September 8, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sarah Palin is now plastered all over T-shirts, hats and pins being worn all over the world.

As one retailer put it, Palin products are hotter than "salmon eggs in a trout stream."

The merchandise is selling out at local souvenir shops and kiosks -- and all over the Internet.

Business is booming for T-shirt makers and vendors in Alaska.

"This is a big event on the class of the oil spill, second to Iditarod," said David Powers, owner of Alaska Serigraphics.

At Alaska Serigraphics, the printing presses are running on high speed churning out 500 T-shirts a day.

"This is wild," Powers said. "It is an eye-opener on the national appeal that Sarah has."

Up front, the phones are ringing and customers and vendors are coming through the door.

"I've always really liked her, and I just wanted to come out here and spread the word and buy for other people," said Katelyn Burns, who was picking up some Palin T-shirts.

It's not just Alaskans who are in search the market for Palin products: A search on the Internet shows thousands of results.

You can even show your support for Palin discreetly with a pair of thong underwear, which puts Palin's face in a place most people probably don't want to see.

But if outerwear is more your forte, downtown Anchorage gift shops carry shirts, too. Retailers say the boom in Palin-related merchandise is a blessing this time of year, when tourist season is winding down.

"It always helps to bring the locals downtown, and we sell them to tourists also, and calls from all over," said Jay Green at Polar Bear Gifts.

In less than two months, buyers will find out if the shirts are a four-year investment or a limited edition.

Contact Angela Blanchard at ablanchard@ktuu.com