'Trump is a brand' — Easton merchandise store to remain open, but Hanson one to close

Donald Trump's presidency has ended, but merchandise bearing his name can still be purchased from an Easton store that will remain open during President Joe Biden's term. 

"Trump is a brand," said New England for Trump owner Keith Lambert the day before Biden's inauguration. "We're going to stick with the brand that works." 

There is Biden merchandise out there, he said, but it doesn't sell as well. 

Lambert, who lives in Easton, has stores across the state, Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island that opened in the past year. Many, including the locations in Hanson and Weymouth, are closing, and some like the Middleboro store have already closed. 

The owner said merchandise sales started to drop right after the Nov. 3 election.  

The Hanson location at 1064 Main St., which is expected to close by the end of the month, is having an up to 80 percent off sale. Lambert said and other locations are having buy one get one free sales. 

He plans to keep the Easton location at at 620 Washington St., the shop in Bellingham and a few Rhode Island stores open. 

In New England for Trump stores and on its website, people can buy T-shirts, hats, face masks, flags and more with the former president's name. There is also merchandise for military veterans and to show support for police and the 2nd Amendment. 

Lambert, who is from Rhode Island and moved to Easton four years ago, has a background selling merchandise for hot-market events like the Super Bowl and the World Series. He saw a similar demand for Trump merchandise. 

It's a combination of available retail space and interest from the community that have determined where he has been able to open New England for Trump stores. 

The reaction from the public can be mixed, Lambert said. If people are against the store, sometimes he hears about it on Facebook, like in local town group pages. 

Lambert considers himself a supporter of the former president. 

"I've always liked Donald Trump before he was the president," he said. "I believe he has some good business values and mindset." 

Staff writer Mina Corpuz can be reached by email at mcorpuz@enterprisenews.com. You can follow her on Twitter @mlcorpuz. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.