A small business in Washington, D.C., found themselves inundated by a sudden online shopping spree after a famous face found his way into their little shop of handmade gifts – namely President Joe Biden.
Biden made his way down Washington’s Barracks Row on Tuesday, stopping for ice cream and buying local at a new store called Honey Made.
Owner Viboonrattana Honey told several news outlets that she was beside herself by the President’s visit.
Honey shared on Twitter a picture of herself with Biden as well as what the President purchased: a hoodie she designed and made herself for his grandson as well as a locally-made card for his wife.
Then, seemingly on a whim, he grabbed a mug adorned with the face of his Vice President Kamala Harris. When pictures of Biden holding the mug hit social media, Honey Made’s stock quickly sold out due to online purchases.
Biden also gifted Honey with a handwritten note for her daughter and a coin bearing the Presidential seal... as well as valuable publicity by posting pictures of his visit on social media.
During his day out, Biden also indulged his sweet tooth at Jeni’s Ice Cream, enjoying a scoop of blackout chocolate cake and a scoop of chocolate with peanut butter flecks in a waffle cone, according to Jessica Sidman of Washingtonian.
“For him to come here, it means a lot for the small business owners because it's hard for us,” Honey told DCist/WAMU, noting that often people assume that shops selling handmade goods will be too pricey and that it hasn’t been easy opening a new small business in the midst of a pandemic. Her shop first opened its doors in June of 2021.
Now she’s enjoying an influx of attention from news organizations and on social media thanks to a visit from the leader of the free world.
