It’s election season again, and political mudslinging is to be expected – but how about ball-slinging?
Smeeks and Frances Vintage, two stores off Camelback Road and Central Avenue, are selling politically themed items because of the upcoming presidential elections.
Smeeks, a candy and novelty shop, added politically-themed poppers to its popper repertoire this summer. Customers can choose between a squishy, hand-sized donkey or elephant, which holds a blue or red ball in its mouth. With a squeeze of the animal’s tummy, air pressure shoots the ball out, “up to 20 feet,” as advertised by the packaging.
Brendan McCaskey, manager of Smeeks, demonstrated with an elephant popper, outfitted in boxing gloves and pants.
“I think these kind of keep it (the election) a little lighthearted and fun. It’s sort of a gag gift,” McCaskey said. “I’m going to get one for my dad, who is a Republican.”
The store carries a variety of poppers, including dinosaurs and pirates, all from Hog Wild, a Portland-based toy company. According to McCaskey, the poppers are the store’s No. 1 seller. With the stores complimentary gift wrapping, customers can combine the poppers with other red, white and blue items to make the poppers a political present.
A few doors down, a vintage and specialty shop called Frances Vintage, is also selling some politically-themed products. Customers can purchase gum that says either “I kissed a Democrat” or “I kissed a Republican.” Next to the gum on the register counter are locally-made necklaces with the word “vote” engraved into the pendant.
Mike Ward, a history teacher who came into Frances with his wife, said he isn’t too sure about the message the gum is sending, but likes the necklaces.
“I think getting people to vote is key,” Ward said. But he pointed out that the gum packaging features a photo of a girl with her head over a toilet seat, presumably in the act of throwing up.
“I’m not in favor of negative advertising,” Ward said about the gum, but added he would probably buy a donkey popper and give to his Republican sister to be funny.
Josie Cirincione, a local Phoenix artist and creator of the “vote” necklaces, hopes her jewelry will promote the vote.
“My main goal was to make something affordable,” Cirincione said. “It’s all about getting the message out there.”
The upcoming election holds personal importance for Cirincione as well — it will be her first presidential election as a registered voter.
“My family moved here in 1972 and I became a citizen just a few years ago,” Cirincione said. “I felt that now, more than ever, it was time to apply for citizenship.”
Cirincione has been selling pieces at Frances for the past four years, and teaches workshops at the store occasionally. According to McCaskey, the stores chose only politically-themed products from vendors they had already been using. The gum is from Blue Q, which also provides the store with comical hand sanitizers.
Georganne Bryant, creator and owner of Frances and Smeeks, hopes the products will excite people about the elections.
“It is a bit like the Olympics every four years,” Bryant said. “People get excited about it. I just wish the people running were taught the sportsman part like the Olympic participants are.”
The stores will continue to reorder the items until November, around voting day.
Contact the reporter at annika.cline@asu.edu
