Shopping spree loosens the presidential wallet

By Keith Perry

A presidential walkabout proved to be the perfect antidote to Apec blues for Auckland store owners.

Any gripes about loss of business from road closures were forgotten after President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea went on a two-hour buying spree in Parnell and Queen St.

Delighted shop workers Kristine Baynosa, aged 19, and Anita Bhatnagar, 20, chatted to Chelsea as she bought a $27 vanilla-scented candle from Parnell shop Yum Yum Tree.

The President showed himself to be a doting dad as he trailed Chelsea around the shops, wallet at the ready.

Kristine Baynosa also revealed that the President has an eye for a pretty girl.

"I saw him earlier when he was walking around in the street. Then, when he came into the shop, he recognised me and smiled, saying, 'Haven't I seen you somewhere before?' He was charming."

Crowds of shoppers followed the famous father and daughter as they toured Parnell with Mr Clinton's mother-in-law, Dorothy Rodham.

Minutes earlier they visited Alpaca Heaven, where Mrs Rodham asked to look at golfing cardigans. She seemed keen on an XXL red men's cardigan, but told shop manager Diana Cheney the 120cm chest-size was too small for the intended recipient.

The low-key shopping trip was not without incident, either.

Startled Paul Dyson, who stepped forward with his wife, Trish, to shake the President's hand, was warned when he reached for his ringing mobile phone.

"Don't put your hand in your pocket, sir," said one gun-wary bodyguard.

Emma Fox, the part-owner of Hoglund Art Glass, revealed that on the advice of Chelsea and Dorothy Rodham, Mr Clinton bought a $400 crystal vase and two $49 oil bottles, using a credit card.

Colleague Clare Mora said Mr Clinton kept returning to the display counter to study a glass paperweight featuring a sea creature. They presented the $200 item to him as a gift.

Scores of Parnell shoppers found themselves formed into impromptu welcome lines to shake the President's hand.

The Clintons carried on their mini-spree in Queen St, and Hillary was not forgotten. In the Out of New Zealand shop Mr Clinton, with Chelsea's advice, bought a silver and jade letter-opener for his wife.

He also bought a handmade clay ocarina (a small wind instrument) which he told staff he would add to his global collection of musical instruments. The saxophone-playing leader tried a small tune before his purchase.

Mr Clinton also bought a black pottery cat as a fun present for a mystery person, while Chelsea bought a silver and jade armband.