Vineyard businesses prepare for Obama visit

Vineyard businesses brace for Obama blitz
By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa | Monday, August 10, 2009 | http://www.bostonherald.com | The Inside Track

It’s 13 days until President Obama and his gals land on Martha’s Vineyard for some R & R, but the island is already overcome with first family fever!

From the mandarin orange Obamatinis and Barack-o Tacos on the menu at Sharky’s to the Bobama beefy dog treats from VinYips, the Rock is rockin’ in anticipation of the Obamas’ most excellent Vineyard adventure.

“Obviously, there’s tons of buzz out there and everyone is so into the visit,” said TripAdvisor spokesguy Brooke Ferencsik, who dispatched a team to scope out the island scene. “And it’s a great boon for local business, because, really, this has been the lost summer.”

Leading the charge on the playground for the rich and famous is Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce’s head cheerleader, Nancy Gardella, who has urged her members to step it up and smile because “the eyes of the world will be on the Vineyard” this month.

Nancy, knowing all too well the boom in business the Clintons’ summer vacations brought the Rock, expects nothing less from the Obamas’ holiday.

“Let’s work together to put our best face forward, and take full advantage of this opportunity to show the world who we are, why we live here, and everything that makes the Vineyard such a magnificent place to visit,” she wrote to her members. “Have your camera ready - you never know who will come into your store!”

Retailers are whipping up “I Vacationed with the Obamas Vineyard 2009” T-shirts, and the Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs has brewed a special Ale to the Chief .

Espresso Love in Edgartown is already baking a special Obama Muffin that pays homage to the president’s Hawaiian roots with oats, pineapple, macadamia nuts and coconut, reports TripAdvisor’s troops.

“And it’s stimulus-friendly at $2.59,” Ferencsik said, adding that Mad Martha’s, which has served many a cone to Bill Clinton, has whipped up a special flavor for the new commander in chief. But the recipe is a state secret until the 23rd, when the Obamas arrive.

Finally, the Secret Service has pulled down the sign at Blue Heron Farm, the first family’s 30-acre rental in Chilmark, but the “Obama ’08” signs have been resurrected up-island and down-island for the visit, Brooke told the Track.

“These islanders are really excited,” he told the Track.

Oh, joy.