scorecardI visited a Trump superstore full of Trump toilet brushes and 'Bye-Bye Biden' countdown clocks — see inside
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I visited a Trump superstore full of Trump toilet brushes and 'Bye-Bye Biden' countdown clocks see inside

Jenny Powers   

I visited a Trump superstore full of Trump toilet brushes and 'Bye-Bye Biden' countdown clocks — see inside
Jenny Powers
  • I visited a Donald Trump Superstore called Keep on Trumpin' in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
  • Co-owner Richard Kligman said business has been booming since he opened the shop in March 2022.

When I was in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I spotted a billboard advertising a Donald Trump Superstore. My curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to stop in and pay a visit.

When I was in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I spotted a billboard advertising a Donald Trump Superstore. My curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to stop in and pay a visit.
Jenny Powers

I turned into the parking lot and was greeted by a series of colorful pro-Trump flags and an air dancer in the former president's likeness, wildly waving its arms at oncoming traffic.

I turned into the parking lot and was greeted by a series of colorful pro-Trump flags and an air dancer in the former president
Jenny Powers

Bookended between Klig's Kites and a restaurant called "Goodfellas Seafood Hut" sits the brick-and-mortar Trump store Keep on Trumpin'.

Bookended between Klig
Jenny Powers

The jam-packed storefront features an animatronic mannequin of Trump waving a “Let’s Go Brandon” flag at passersby.

The jam-packed storefront features an animatronic mannequin of Trump waving a “Let’s Go Brandon” flag at passersby.
Jenny Powers

As I snapped a photo of the mannequin, one customer walked by, chanting: "Let's Go, Brandon."

As I snapped a photo of the mannequin, one customer walked by, chanting: "Let
Jenny Powers

In order to access the store, you have to go through the main entrance of Klig’s Kites, a retail shop selling kites, banners, and flags.

In order to access the store, you have to go through the main entrance of Klig’s Kites, a retail shop selling kites, banners, and flags.
Jenny Powers

Once inside, I notice Klig's and Keep on Trumpin' are under the same roof.

Once inside, I notice Klig
Jenny Powers

However, the space is separated into two distinct parts, with the latter taking up approximately 2,000 square feet of retail space.

However, the space is separated into two distinct parts, with the latter taking up approximately 2,000 square feet of retail space.
Jenny Powers

Kligman said the first location of their kite shop opened in 1982 in Myrtle Beach.

Kligman said the first location of their kite shop opened in 1982 in Myrtle Beach.
Jenny Powers

Today, they have two locations — one at Broadway on the Beach in Myrtle Beach and the newest one that opened seven years ago in North Myrtle Beach near Barefoot Landing.

Today, they have two locations — one at Broadway on the Beach in Myrtle Beach and the newest one that opened seven years ago in North Myrtle Beach near Barefoot Landing.
Jenny Powers

Klig's sold merchandise representing both political parties, but the Trump items always outsold the rest.

Klig
Jenny Powers

Based on customer demand, Klig's eventually created an entire aisle dedicated to Trump merchandise.

Based on customer demand, Klig
Jenny Powers

Then, in March 2022, when one of their retail tenants vacated and they were unable to find a suitable tenant as a replacement, Kligman approached his brother with a wild idea.

Then, in March 2022, when one of their retail tenants vacated and they were unable to find a suitable tenant as a replacement, Kligman approached his brother with a wild idea.
Jenny Powers

Why not open a Trump store?

Why not open a Trump store?
Jenny Powers

Kligman told Insider that he's not trying to make a political statement with his store.

Kligman told Insider that he
Jenny Powers

He said, at the end of the day, he's a businessman and that there are some things about Trump he likes and some things he doesn't.

He said, at the end of the day, he
Jenny Powers

One thing he definitely likes is the increased foot traffic his business has seen since opening.

One thing he definitely likes is the increased foot traffic his business has seen since opening.
Jenny Powers

Today, the store sells more than 10,000 items.

Today, the store sells more than 10,000 items.
Jenny Powers

The inventory ranges from officially licensed merchandise and vendor products to their own manufactured line of goods.

The inventory ranges from officially licensed merchandise and vendor products to their own manufactured line of goods.
Jenny Powers

The merchandise is priced between $1.99 and $69.

The merchandise is priced between $1.99 and $69.
Jenny Powers

When customers try to talk politics, Kligman says he just smiles and rings up their purchase at the register.

When customers try to talk politics, Kligman says he just smiles and rings up their purchase at the register.
Jenny Powers

The Kligmans produce many of the T-shirts they sell, such as …

The Kligmans produce many of the T-shirts they sell, such as …
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… this Top Gun shirt …

… this Top Gun shirt …
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… this Keep on Trumping' T-shirt …

… this Keep on Trumping
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… this Terminator-themed "I'll be back" tee …

… this Terminator-themed "I
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… and this remake of American Gothic.

… and this remake of American Gothic.
Jenny Powers

There are also shirts that take a not-so-subtle stab at the Democratic Party, such as this "stolen property" one …

There are also shirts that take a not-so-subtle stab at the Democratic Party, such as this "stolen property" one …
Jenny Powers

… and this "Donkeypox" T-shirt …

… and this "Donkeypox" T-shirt …
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… and a "Bye-Bye, Biden" countdown clock.

… and a "Bye-Bye, Biden" countdown clock.
Jenny Powers

The shop also sells a staggering number of novelty products, like this Trump teddy bear.

The shop also sells a staggering number of novelty products, like this Trump teddy bear.
Jenny Powers

There was also a vast assortment of bobbleheads …

There was also a vast assortment of bobbleheads …
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… including this shirtless boxing Trump one.

… including this shirtless boxing Trump one.
Jenny Powers

They also have unusual souvenirs such as rubber duckies and troll dolls featuring Trump's signature coif.

They also have unusual souvenirs such as rubber duckies and troll dolls featuring Trump
Jenny Powers

Customers can also snap up talking items such as a pen that, with the push of a button, promises to belt out some of Trump's popular sayings in his own voice …

Customers can also snap up talking items such as a pen that, with the push of a button, promises to belt out some of Trump
Jenny Powers

… or this full-body figure with the American flag that when activated says a series of 17 patriotic comments including "From this day forward, it's only going to be America first."

… or this full-body figure with the American flag that when activated says a series of 17 patriotic comments including "From this day forward, it
Jenny Powers

I was surprised to see that they even offer a Trump toilet brush.

I was surprised to see that they even offer a Trump toilet brush.
Jenny Powers

According to a saleswoman I spoke to, one of the biggest hits so far has been the Donald Trump Garden Gnome, which she says people often buy as gifts.

According to a saleswoman I spoke to, one of the biggest hits so far has been the Donald Trump Garden Gnome, which she says people often buy as gifts.
Jenny Powers

For those interested in their future, customers can feed $1 into the Trump Fortune Telling Machine on the premises.

For those interested in their future, customers can feed $1 into the Trump Fortune Telling Machine on the premises.
Jenny Powers

Inside the machine is an animatronic version of the nation's 45th President of the United States that doles out a printed fortune with his likeness on it.

Inside the machine is an animatronic version of the nation
Jenny Powers

Kligman said sales-wise, he and his brother could easily turn their whole business into a Trump store. Based on the enthusiastic shoppers I encountered during my visit, I believe it.

Kligman said sales-wise, he and his brother could easily turn their whole business into a Trump store. Based on the enthusiastic shoppers I encountered during my visit, I believe it.
Jenny Powers

As a registered Democrat, I was the only one who seemed to walk out of the store empty-handed; however my curiosity as to what a Trump Superstore might be like was certainly filled.

As a registered Democrat, I was the only one who seemed to walk out of the store empty-handed; however my curiosity as to what a Trump Superstore might be like was certainly filled.
Jenny Powers

And while Richard Kligman himself probably wouldn't say much about a Trump 2024 run, his products certainly will.

And while Richard Kligman himself probably wouldn
Jenny Powers

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