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September 15, 2001Old Glory all over, except in stores- Many stores running out of flags as people aim to show U.S. prideBy BILL ECHLINRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Suddenly Old Glory is everywhere - except at some stores. In a burst of patriotic fervor that far exceeds most Fourth of Julys or Flag Days, people are displaying flags big and small in front of their homes, in the windows of stores and even on their cars to honor the victims of terrorist attacks Tuesday in New York and Washington, D.C. "We have about six flags left and we had about 50 in stock before Tuesday," said Cheryl Seipke, owner of Spartan Flag Co. of Northport. "We had a similar run during the Gulf War." Spartan doesn't make American flags - it mostly makes golf course flags - but usually keeps a stock of the national emblem as a convenience for customers. It was the same story at the Bay Supply Flag and Banner shop. "We were swamped," said Cindy Bogan, who runs the office there. "We have a few left, but not a lot. We sold probably at least 100 of all sizes and they've even taken the ones we had on display on the wall. We even got calls from California and we are shipping some there. We still have some bunting but that's going fast, too." It's probably going to be four to six weeks before they can get more from their supplier in Wisconsin, Bogan said. The Wal-Mart stores in Traverse City and Cadillac sold out Thursday. "We had all kinds, small and big, at least 100, but they were all gone by Thursday night," said Tod Potinsky, assistant manager at the Traverse City Wal-Mart. He has been told it will be a week to 10 days before more come in. "Our buyers have bought out all that the manufacturers had," he said. In the meantime, the staff has been handing out red-white-and- blue ribbons and taking donations to provide assistance to families of the attack victims. The Meijer store in Traverse City ran out after selling hundreds of flags by Wednesday night, but manager Mike Keller said he expected a shipment Friday evening. He said there were also heavy sales of red, white and blue ribbon. "The majority of our team members are wearing the ribbon bows," he said. |
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