The destruction of the World Trade Center towers at the hands of terrorists has left many New York City businesses hurting - but not the souvenir vendors. Rick Elmhorst filed the following story for NY1.
Just about everywhere you go, people are cashing in on last Tuesday's acts of terror, selling souvenirs to help people remember.
But many tourists aren't buying.
"I wouldn't buy one," said George Boker, whose relatives were visiting from Hungary. "I think it's distasteful to make a profit on this tragedy."
"It doesn't seem right to profit on the tragedy," said tourist Tim Johnston.
Times Square shop owner Capri Lee says he's just being patriotic and filling a need. "It's our livelihood," Lee said, "and people are buying more because people want to remember the Twin Towers."
One of the hottest items being sold on the streets of Manhattan isn't just about patriotism; it's about hating the enemy. For $$2, tourists can buy posters attacking prime terror suspect Osama Bin Laden. The posters read: "Bin Laden: Wanted Dead or Alive."
Some see the posters as a way for people to vent and to show support for military action.
"I still have to make a living regardless," said one vendor. "Life does go on, just like Mayor Giuliani says."