Resort Show Section

Merchandise Journeyers (From page 78) pizzas, burgers, fried foods and sandwiches all take turns as customer favorites. “Which items are more popular depends on the time of year,” Vieyra said.

Three distinct demographics shop at the Space Age glasses and postcards branded with the Oregon logo. “Everybody wants a state souvenir to take home,” Nelson noted.

Fidget toys, miniature cars and activity books are the highlights of a toy section prominently displayed in the food area. Locals, another reliable category, flock to Space Age for its famous giant donuts, burritos and chicken. They also buy lots of magnets and decorative signs with humorous slogans, as well as cell phone and audio accessories.

Fuel Travel Center in Hermiston, Ore., according to General Manager Don Nelson . The first are interstate car travelers; they’ll stop to fill up the tank, grab a quick meal and snacks for the road, and pick up a local souvenir. “A lot of them are families with children, so we sell a lot of toys and things to keep kids entertained in the backseat on that long trip,” Nelson explained.

Right inside the car travelers’ entrance, shoppers find racks of sunglasses and souvenir magnets, shot

Electronic gadgets also do well with the third group, long-haul truckers. At Space Age, truckers have their own entrance, were they’ll find useful gear like charging cables or earbuds. But what really excites this demographic, Nelson said, is apparel emblazoned with political slogans. “Truck drivers in general lean more to the right side of the political spectrum,” Nelson observed, “so we sell a lot of those trucker caps and T-shirts that say Sleepy Joe Biden.”

Of course, truck drivers also reliably purchase food — hot meals, sandwiches, chips and snacks. “They’re looking for things that hold them overnight,” Nelson said, “since many of them are sleeping in their trucks.” ❖