Babesta
66 W. Broadway, nr. Warren St.; 212-608-4522
Hot-button items at this high-minded kids’ shop are made-to-order presidential onesies and tees ($20) touting Clinton, Obama, McCain, or—wild card!—Al Sharpton. Says owner Jenn Cattaui, “Clinton had her moment when it was neck and neck around November and December, but Barack has been flying off the shelves pretty consistently for the last five months.”
Neighborhoodies
26 Jay St., nr. Plymouth St., Dumbo, Brooklyn; 718-722-7277
This Dumbo workshop customizes a range of American Apparel gear, with an in-store sewing staff of around 60. The selection includes iron-ons of all the presidential contenders as well as Ron Paul, Al Gore, and Dick Cheney. Droll ready-made shirts reading “Barack Me Amadeus and “Barack to the Future” are top sellers. For Obama fanatics, the store creates reproductions of the senator’s high-school basketball jersey ($60).
Candy Plum
30-98 36th St., at 31st Ave., Astoria; 718-721-2299
At this colorful Astoria boutique, Clinton and Obama backers can keep the flame alive with Veronica Soto’s handmade candles and glass votives ($9 each). Soto designs them herself, embellishing some versions with paint or rhinestones. In the past few weeks, Obama votives have been outselling Clinton’s five times over, she says.
Yellow Rat Bastard
478 Broadway, nr. Broome St.; 212-334-2150
After a particularly divisive primary season, YRB’s $25 tees favor a joint ticket: One bears Obama’s image, reading “Hillary for President 2008,” while a complementary version depicts Clinton’s head above the words “Obama ‘08.” This spring, the store sold out of the popular “Obama Is my Homeboy” and “Obama Is the New Black” tees.
Flying A
169 Spring St., nr. W. Broadway; 212-965-9090
In a refreshing departure from slogan shirts, Flying A’s T-shirts ($39) tackle the issues, from environmental concerns to the war in Iraq. The visual tees feature bold fonts and simple statements, like “Act Now,” “Reuse, Recycle, Rethink,” and “Consume Less,” with not a candidate mug in sight.