Ossama hair salon changes name to Obama

[January 13, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Thanks to a well-placed letter B, things are looking up for the Chicago hair salon formerly known as Ossama's.

Owner Mike Elsheikh says 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 was a stylist at the salon when business plummeted 50 percent after the 2001 terror attacks carried out by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida. Elsheikh says Ossama was the first name of a previous owner of the salon.

Elsheikh eventually took over the salon space and licensed the new name during the presidential campaign just in case President-elect Barack Obama won.

He says old customers have stopped by to give their approval of the new name.

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

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Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/index

[Associated Press]

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