Kathrine Frich
An employee confirmed that the decision came down to a drastic drop in foot traffic.
Political enthusiasm can be a lucrative business when momentum is high.
But when the buzz fades and wallets tighten, even the most passionate retail spaces feel the chill. A prominent roadside shop dedicated to political gear is learning that lesson the hard way.
Empty aisles along I-40
Off Interstate 40 near Knoxville, Tennessee, a dedicated store for Donald Trump merchandise is slashing prices by half as it prepares to shut down for good.
The owner, 80-year-old William “Bill” Hays, made no secret about why the cash registers have stopped ringing.
Local reporting initially suggested Hays was simply retiring or relocating according to The Irish Star. Both the owner and his staff quickly pushed back against that narrative.
“The girl that reported that did not know what she was talking about,” Hays told reporters, clarifying that he is not retiring despite owning properties in Florida. “I don’t know why the hell she said I was 80, anyway.”
From chaos to quiet
An employee named Dan confirmed to Slate that the decision came down to a drastic drop in foot traffic.
“No. That’s why we’re closing,” Dan said when asked about the relocation rumors. “We’re not busy anymore.”
The drop in visitors stands in stark contrast to the store’s peak moments. Big political headlines used to draw massive crowds through the doors.
Hays recalled that the initial assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, sparked an unprecedented rush. “The first time that they tried to assassinate him was huge,” Hays remembered. “People were waiting to walk in the door. Everybody was going ‘Choo Choo Trump train,’ and this whole building was moving. I mean, it was just, it was unbelievable.”
Tight belts and tariffs
So why did the crowds vanish? Hays believes falling approval ratings and widespread financial strain have forced voters to reorder their spending habits.
Between rising gas prices tied to Middle East tensions and new tariffs, everyday supporters are prioritizing survival over souvenirs.
“People really are saying, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to do a full load of groceries or I’m going to put my electric bill on a credit card this month,” Hays observed.
Despite shuttering the gift shop, Hays plans to keep the real estate and launch another money-making enterprise down the road because “it’s all about making money.”
Sources: The Irish Star, Slate, Knox News
