Business Picks Up at Obama Hair Salon

Slight name change turns thinks around at

Thanks to a well-placed letter B, things are looking up for the Chicago hair salon formerly known as Ossama's.

Owner Mike Elsheikh said he's already seen business improve in the two weeks since he unveiled the name change from Ossama's Hair Design to Obama's Hair Design.

Elsheikh, an Egyptian-born U.S. citizen from Plainfield, worked a stylist at the salon when business plummeted 50 percent after the 2001 terror attacks carried out by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida.

He eventually bought the business -- at 433 S. Dearborn in Printers Row -- and licensed the new name during the presidential campaign just in case President-elect Barack Obama won.

He said old customers have stopped by to give their approval of the new name, and passers-by have been snapping photos of the new neon sign.

He hasn't heard from Obama, but he doesn't expect him to object.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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