Trump-themed shop could be closed over code issues, but owner says it's political
A 6-foot-tall inflatable Donald Trump gives two thumbs up to passersby outside the Trump Truth Store in far northwest suburban Huntley, which sells all varieties of Trump-themed merchandise from Make America Great Again T-shirts to DOGE baseball caps.
But the replica of the controversial 47th president — along with the business it's promoting — is on the verge of losing a hard-fought campaign against routine municipal oversight.
In true Trump fashion, the store's owner is refusing to concede defeat and has vowed to fight suburbia's deep state.
The Trump Truth Store has been accused of violating village sign ordinance and building codes over the past six months, according to public records. Huntley village officials say the blow-up likeness of the store's namesake, as well as a temporary banner and outdoor merchandise that stretch into the public right-of-way, all violate municipal code.
Several citations were filed in January against the store's landlord, who is now threatening the business with eviction in McHenry County Circuit Court. A bench trial in the eviction case is scheduled for next month.
Trump Truth Store owner Lisa Fleischmann claims she's being unfairly targeted by village officials for her political beliefs.
'We have to show people that we can't be walked on,' she said. 'This is freedom of speech. This is my business. I make money to support my livelihood… . They can't discriminate.'
She says that's why she's fighting the eviction in court.
'Why do they get to tell me I can't put something on to bring more customers in and let them know that I'm here? Why?' Fleischmann said. 'Because somebody wanted to make a bunch of rules a long time ago and now we've got to follow all these rules and businesses get walked on.'
Huntley officials said in a written statement that they've been trying to work with Fleischmann for the past year to install a permanent sign that complies with the sign ordinance governing the village of about 28,000 people roughly 50 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.
'However, Ms. Fleischmann insists on maintaining signage in violation of the ordinance that includes temporary banners, flags, inflatable figures and signs placed within the right-of-way,' the statement said.
A lawyer representing the landlord said the March eviction filing has nothing to do with the business owner's political leanings or the type of merchandise the store sells.
Joe Gottemoller, attorney for landlord Ricky Lynfield Inc., said the landlord has 'been trying to get her to comply with the code for quite some time.'
'This has nothing to do with the politics of it,' said Gottemoller, a Republican who also serves on the McHenry County Board. 'It has to do with the fact that she has the sidewalk completely blocked. She's parking a vehicle in the drive lane. She basically won't follow the local ordinance rules for the town. As a result, the landlord is getting tickets.'
Gottemoller — a former GOP precinct committeeman — also noted that Fleischmann's lease includes 'pretty standard' language requiring compliance with local and state laws.
The landlord went to Fleischmann's store to ask her to comply with the ordinances, 'and she pretty much has said repeatedly, 'I'm not going to.''
Indeed, Fleischmann told the Tribune she has no plans to take down any of the outdoor items under fire by the village.
She is particularly protective of the inflatable Trump, who wears a suit and iconic red, overlong tie, his mouth permanently puckered in the shape of an O.
Customers adore the blow-up version of their leader, Fleischmann said.
'People love taking pictures (with it),' she said. 'They are so proud of this store.'
When Fleischmann opened the Trump Truth Store at 10890 N. Illinois Route 47 in December 2023, she wasn't even sure she'd get a lot of business.
She said she was surprised when she saw a line of patrons at the door.
Fleischmann said she put up a banner outside the store and shortly after, those who were opposed to the business — people she believes were left-leaning politically — began writing posts against the store on local social media pages.
'The Democrats all did my advertising, for free,' she said, laughing. 'They wanted this store gone from day one.'
Fleischmann said she opened the store in part to fight against what she called 'the political silence' throughout the nation, amid increasing polarization between the left and right.
Trump voters are often hesitant to state their support for him for fear of backlash, she said.
'You really don't know who is a Trumper and who's not,' she said. 'And you're kind of afraid to bring up the subject because, I joke around, because you don't want your day ruined by bringing it up to the wrong person.'
She said she encourages Trump supporters to wear her apparel so others are aware of their political affiliation, which can spark conversation and a feeling of community.
'I tell everybody, just wear a bracelet,' she said. 'Then you don't feel like you're all alone.'
Her merchandise includes patriotic and religious items, like canvas posters of Jesus Christ with his hands on Trump's shoulders. The president's eyes are closed in the poster and both figures bask in light coming from above.
Drinking glasses bearing the phrase 'BULLETPROOF TRUMP' feature a mock bullet piercing one side of the container, an apparent nod to the assassination attempt during the 2024 presidential campaign. There are also products celebrating the 'Gulf of America,' the newly renamed Gulf of Mexico, one of Trump's first executive orders after his inauguration.
Signs declaring that Democratic Illinois Gov. JB 'Pritzker sucks' also seemed particularly popular, according to the store's Facebook page, where the item received 80 positive reactions including likes, laughing emojis and hearts.
While Illinois has long been known as Democratic stronghold, with nearly 55% of voters favoring Vice President Kamala Harris compared with 44% supporting Trump in November, McHenry County leans more to the right politically.
Nearly 52% of voters countywide cast a ballot for Trump in 2024 compared with nearly 47% for Harris. Trump has gained support in McHenry County over the last few election cycles, with 51% of voters there casting a ballot for him in 2020 and 2016.
The business has received mixed reviews online, with some locals objecting to its political affiliation.
'You may want to relocate to a red state — you would be welcome in one of those states,' said a Yelp reviewer from northwest suburban Wonder Lake. 'Illinois for the most part is largely democratic.'
'Trump and truth are mutually exclusive,' commented another Yelp reviewer from north suburban Northbrook.
Others expressed gratitude for the store and its mission.
'The place is filled to the brim with great inventory for patriots who are proud of America!' said a Yelp reviewer from west suburban Geneva. 'By supporting your local independent shops you are investing in the economic well-being of your community. Shop Small Businesses!'
'Freedom of commerce, freedom of expression. No more shall we hide,' said another review on the site by a west suburban Aurora resident. 'This wonderful store is now open to honor the greatest President in history.'
The store owner says she is fighting the ordinance violations and eviction in part on principle.
Fleischmann views the code-violation citations as an example of government overreach s an example of government overreach, the kind of bureaucracy that can stymie small businesses and that she believes also Trump opposes.
She said many other businesses along Illinois Route 47 keep merchandise outside; Gottemoller, the attorney for the landlord, said a permit is usually required for those types of commercial 'sidewalk sales.'
In their statement, Huntley officials said the local sign ordinance is 'intended to preserve and enhance the village's appearance, ensure that signs are compatible with surrounding land uses and buildings, and protect public safety.'
No other businesses in Huntley have signage similar to the Trump Truth Store's, the statement said.
'Nobody else in town can have a blow-up caricature either,' Gottemoller said.
The business owner says she has faced opposition since opening Trump Truth. Once a man placed a box of tissues on her Jeep, which is decorated in pro-Trump paraphernalia, along with a message to 'dry your tears,' after a New York judge found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsified business records in May 2024.
'I was like, 'Oh, that's so nice of him to give me Kleenex,'' Fleischmann recalled, laughing.
More recently, she said, a man texted her a picture of male genitalia.
Fleischman said she remains undeterred.
'I have no fear,' she said. 'None. Zero.'
Politically, she describes herself as a 'Trumplican,' adding that she doesn't consider herself a Republican or a Democrat. She said she sees Trump as distinct from either party and a man of the people and said she voted for him in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
'I've been a fan of him, forever. Even when he was on 'The Apprentice,'' she said, referencing a reality television series that featured Trump. 'I never missed an 'Apprentice' show.'
The storekeeper said she knows she could sell her merchandise online with fewer hassles. But a brick-and-mortar store is central to her goal of providing a meeting place for like-minded folks to gather and learn from one another.
She's hoping to move to a bigger space soon, regardless of the outcome of the eviction proceedings and ordinance citations.
The roughly 1,000-square-foot space in Huntley isn't large enough for her vision, she said. Fleischmann said she wants to find a space three or four times that size, perhaps in the northwest suburban Algonquin area.
Fleischmann dreams of a store that includes a model Oval Office where kids can sit at the desk and pretend to be president or pose for pictures; she wants to have gathering spaces for people to meet and share ideas, such as how to 'Make America Healthy Again,' citing one of the Trump administration's stated goals despite making deep cuts to public health and scientific research that have alarmed many physicians and scientists.
'Anything that's uncovering the truth,' she said.
This larger space might include Skee-Ball arcade machines and a pool table for recreation; she wants to offer children an arts and crafts area where they can make gifts for veterans and law enforcement officers, adding that 'kids do come in this store all the time.'
'Things are going to get a lot better' now that Trump is president again, Fleischmann said.
'It's going to be a fantastic four years, that I know,' she said.
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