President Obama shops on Small Business Saturday

  • By Stacy Anderson Associated Press
  • Saturday, November 28, 2015 5:32pm
  • Business

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama kept up his holiday tradition of supporting small businesses.

Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha visited Upshur Street Books in Washington’s Petworth neighborhood Saturday, where he bought nine books.

The Obamas skimmed through books in the fiction section of the dimly lit store with bright green walls. Miniature Christmas lights were hanging on the ceiling and around the front window display.

The president emerged from the store with a brown shopping bag full of his purchases, which the White House said included children and young adult novels such as “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck, Book 8,” “Dork Diaries 1: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life,” “A Snicker of Magic,” “On Fortune’s Wheel,” and “Purity: A Novel.”

Also in the bag: Salman Rushdie’s new novel, “Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights.”

The family moved on to the Adams Morgan neighborhood for frozen treats at Pleasant Pops, a cafe and market known for fresh fruit frozen pop. Obama ordered a strawberry ginger lemonade one, Malia nibbled on cookies and cream and Sasha had cranberry apple.

When the cashier told Obama his order came to $9, the president replied, “What a bargain.” He added, “This is the highlight of the girls’ Small Business Saturday.”

Obama has shopped at other Washington bookstores including Kramerbooks and Politics and Prose as part of what retailers promote as Small Business Saturday.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is designed to drive business to mom and pop shops between the Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Simreet Dhaliwal speaks after winning during the 2024 Snohomish County Emerging Leaders Awards Presentation on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Simreet Dhaliwal wins The Herald’s 2024 Emerging Leaders Award

Dhaliwal, an economic development and tourism specialist, was one of 12 finalists for the award celebrating young leaders in Snohomish County.

Lynnwood
New Jersey company acquires Lynnwood Land Rover dealership

Land Rover Seattle, now Land Rover Lynnwood, has been purchased by Holman, a 100-year-old company.

Szabella Psaztor is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Szabella Pasztor: Change begins at a grassroots level

As development director at Farmer Frog, Pasztor supports social justice, equity and community empowerment.

Owner and founder of Moe's Coffee in Arlington Kaitlyn Davis poses for a photo at the Everett Herald on March 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Kaitlyn Davis: Bringing economic vitality to Arlington

More than just coffee, Davis has created community gathering spaces where all can feel welcome.

Simreet Dhaliwal is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Simreet Dhaliwal: A deep-seated commitment to justice

The Snohomish County tourism and economic specialist is determined to steer change and make a meaningful impact.

Emerging Leader John Michael Graves. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
John Michael Graves: Champion for diversity and inclusion

Graves leads training sessions on Israel, Jewish history and the Holocaust and identifying antisemitic hate crimes.

Gracelynn Shibayama, the events coordinator at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gracelynn Shibayama: Connecting people through the arts and culture

The Edmonds Center for the Arts coordinator strives to create a more connected and empathetic community.

Eric Jimenez, a supervisor at Cocoon House, is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Eric Jimenez: Team player and advocate for youth

As an advocate for the Latino community, sharing and preserving its traditions is central to Jimenez’ identity.

Nathanael Engen, founder of Black Forest Mushrooms, an Everett gourmet mushroom growing operation is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Nathanael Engen: Growing and sharing gourmet mushrooms

More than just providing nutritious food, the owner of Black Forest Mushrooms aims to uplift and educate the community.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington closed on Jan. 28 2024. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
Molbak’s, former Woodinville garden store, hopes for a comeback

Molbak’s wants to create a “hub” for retailers and community groups at its former Woodinville store. But first it must raise $2.5 million.

DJ Lockwood, a Unit Director at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club, is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DJ Lockwood: Helping the community care for its kids

As director of the Arlington Boys & Girls Club, Lockwood has extended the club’s programs to more locations and more kids.

Alex Tadio, the admissions director at WSU Everett, is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Alex Tadio: A passion for education and equality

As admissions director at WSU Everett, he hopes to give more local students the chance to attend college.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.