Island merchants this week said it was too early to tell if President Obama’s recent vacation gave a boost to business, which by most account was generally poor this summer.

If there was any direct impact it was in Oak Bluffs, where the President stopped in town on Tuesday night for dinner at the Sweet Life Cafe and briefly the next day for a take-out lunch at Nancy’s Snack Bar.

“I got questions about the President all week. I’m still getting questions every day,” said Zita Cousens, owner of the Cousen Rose Gallery on Circuit avenue. “The day he went down to Nancy’s people were running down the street to see him. On the street you could feel the excitement in the air . . . that has to be good for the Island.”

Ms. Cousens speculated that the Obama vacation will raise awareness of the Island and create a residual boost in business in the coming weeks and years, just as President Clinton’s visits did.

“People who never heard of Martha’s Vineyard are aware of us now, and people who visited for the first time this year will be back next year, regardless of whether [President Obama] comes back or not,” she said.

Pia Sequeira, an employee of Ben and Bill’s Ice Cream Emporium, said President Obama’s daughters Sasha and Malia stopped in one afternoon for a few scoops. Even though their parents were nowhere to be seen, people still recognized them and gathered around the store.

“It definitely created a crowd. People were excited just to see them,” she said.

Sarah Gifford, who owns the Lazy Frog with her husband Jake, said the presidential visit brought in some unexpected federal employees.

“One Secret Service guy came in to buy something for his daughter. Not the President’s daughter, his own daughter,” she said.

Paula Catanese, owner of Craftworks, said her business saw a bump the evening the Obamas dined with friends at Sweet Life Cafe down the road. She also talked to newspaper and television reporters during the visit, which she equated to free advertising for her store and the Island.

“Even if he doesn’t stop in [the stores], people are coming into town looking for him, asking questions, buying things . . . we had these posters from the Oak Bluffs Association welcoming the First Family, and everybody was asking if they could buy them. I don’t even think they were supposed to be for sale, but we sold them for $3 apiece and sold hundreds. People just wanted a part of it,” she said.

Dennis daRosa, president of the Oak Bluffs Association, said the feeling around town is that the presidential visit provided a boost that he hopes will continue into the shoulder season, a welcome development after heavy rains and poor weather washed out most of June.

“Actually we didn’t really get busy until the second week of July . . . summer came late this year. So yes. A lot of people are happy the President came. Hopefully this will translate into a strong September and October,” he said.

Mr. daRosa said he has heard no negative stories about disruptions from the Secret Service or presidential motorcade. Conversely, there are few stories from people who got a chance to meet the President or view him from afar.

“There won’t be a lot of pictures around town of him shaking hands with the owner, it just wasn’t that type of visit. But even without those personal stories, he brought a lot of energy into town. All you have to do is walk up and down the street; people are still talking about the President,” Mr. daRosa said.

And while he is certain the presidential visit will add some luster to the Vineyard, he worries some businesses will end this season well down over last year.

“A boost [from the President] in late August and September helps, but it’s not going to save the season for some people. I just hope banks are generous this winter when they give out lines of credit,” Mr. daRosa said.