Courtesy of Pleasant Pops.

Courtesy of Pleasant Pops.

Sable Daniel, a cafe staff member at Pleasant Pops, had only 15 minutes to prepare for her most high-profile customer. President Barack Obama walked in right after a rush of lunchtime customers on Saturday, ready for a few sweet treats.

“It was very exciting,” says Daniel, who’s been working at the Adams Morgan shop since April.

The president’s visit was part of his contribution to the sixth annual Small Business Saturday. For the past 3 years, he’s visited Politics and Prose Bookstore in upper Northwest.

He arrived at Pleasant Pops with his daughters and ordered a Strawberry Ginger Lemonade pop. Malia said she heard nothing but good things of the shop and knew what she wanted right away, says Daniel, “the Cookies and Cream pop.” Sasha, on the other hand, was a little indecisive and Daniel recommended the Cranberry Apple pop.

About 25 customers were in the shop when the first family arrived, says Daniel, “He said hi to a lot of people—he’s very friendly.”

Although it was not exactly popsicle weather, says Daniel, Obama started an immediate trend. After the president left, the shop saw an influx of customers who took pictures and requested Obama’s frozen treat of choice.

According to the Small Business Administration, there are 28 million independent businesses across the country. By shopping local, money stays within communities, Maria Contreras-Sweet, the head of the SBA said in a release last Wednesday. “Small business owners and Main Street businesses are the fabric of our daily lives. They have energy and passion for what they do, and when we support small businesses, jobs are created and local communities preserve their unique culture,” she continued.

Visiting Pleasant Pops gives customers a chance to try something new. “You don’t usually hear of a coffee shop or pop shop with unique flavors,” Daniel says, certain that the president’s visit “is going to be really good” for business. Earlier this year, Pleasant Pops opened another location on 15th St. NW near the White House, but it’s not open on Saturdays, Daniel says.

Before coming to Pleasant Pops, the first family stopped by Upshur Street Books in Petworth.

In a statement on Wednesday, President Obama said: “These enterprises empower individuals to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities. They remind us that in this country, we never have to stray too far from home to secure the American dream.”

Filed Under: Adams Morgan, malia, obama, Pleasant Pops, sasha, small business saturday,