ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – Memorial Day Weekend means that flag stores are seeing more foot traffic than any other time of the year.
“I would say this is like a Halloween costume store in October,” explains Stacey Stewart, the owner of Fly Me Flag in Ashwaubenon.
She says this long weekend is circled on their calendar well in advance, because they know that a variety of people will venture in looking for some variety of an American flag.
“Homeowners are coming in to freshen up their flag, businesses are getting new flags up on their flag poles,” says Stewart.
And while they almost all are in search of a standard American flag, it’s the size of the flag that often fluctuates.
Luckily, Fly Me Flag offers options all over the spectrum.
“Handheld stick flags all the way up through forty-foot by eighty-foot monster flags,” she explains.
In terms of what’s the most popular, she says the smaller handheld flags tend to be a best seller this time of year since they work well for parades and other holiday events.
She adds that if you’re thinking of making a flag upgrade to make sure to bring your old one into them, because they will make sure that it is disposed of properly.
“We take retired flags and work with a variety of community groups that do the flag retirement ceremonies,” explains Stewart.
If you want to dispose of an old flag yourself, but are unsure what steps are necessary to do so, just ask the employees on-site.
According to Stewart, everyone in the area is very sensitive and respectful to the holiday’s true meaning.
“We’re so fortunate to live in a very patriotic community,” she says.
Fly Me Flag is in a new, larger building on South Ashland Avenue.
In addition to American flags, they have other flag accessories and an entire flag pole showroom.
