Trump-themed shop on hiatus in new Crystal Lake spot; owner says sales slowed since Iran war

The Trump and Truth Store, which recently moved to Crystal Lake following an eviction from the shop’s previous location in Huntley, is shutting its doors, at least temporarily.

Owner Lisa Fleischmann said Friday she’s planning to close the President Donald Trump-themed store for the next week to a month, to finish getting the store ready.

However, just the day before on Facebook, she was openly questioning whether she should have opened the new store and said traffic had been so slow, “I am not even making half of my rent. Lucky to get 3 cars a day since opening weekend.”

She said sales have dropped off, particularly since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

Fleischmann moved to 829 S. Virginia Road in Crystal Lake after facing eviction from her previous location on Route 47 in Huntley last year. Fleischmann and some of her supporters felt the eviction was related to the store’s politics, but Huntley officials and the landlord’s attorney disputed that and said it was a matter of the store failing to follow local sign ordinances.

Fleischmann briefly opened the Crystal Lake location around the holidays to accommodate Christmas shoppers. She said she opened the new store permanently in January, but that many people don’t know the new store is open.

Fleischmann said the Crystal Lake space is in a good location, but the parking situation can be goofy. It’s configured in a one-way direction, and drivers can only enter it off Berkshire Drive rather than Virginia Road, she said.

She believes the slowdown might also have to do with Trump supporters “laying low” these days, perhaps wanting to avoid confrontation with people who disagree on the war in Iran or are otherwise opposed to the president.

Fleischmann posted on Facebook that the store would be closing until further notice, citing various reasons, including the lack of traffic into the store.

“I really did this for the people. I really thought that everyone wanted this, but no one’s coming,” she said.

Fleischmann hopes to use the space as a hub for people to get together and talk.

She said while merchandise sales help pay bills and give people a chance to show their Trump support, there’s “so much more to the store.” She said she also carries merchandise related to Jesus, first responders, military, veterans, poets and musicians.

And with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, she’s planning to have more stuff celebrating that too.

Fleischmann said the new store is 3½ times the size of the former location. Despite the struggles, she said she’s still planning to have a grand opening in the near future.

The website, trumptruthstore.com, says the store is closed until further notice.