Fly The Flag — If You Can Find One

Stores across the country are fresh out of American flags in the wake of the terrorist attacks — and it may be two or three weeks before more arrive.

Hundreds of customers have clamored for flags at the Wal-Mart SuperCenter in Nashville, Tenn., since Tuesday's attacks, said Mike Easter, one of the managers. Nationwide, the chain has sold more than 250,000 flags in all shapes and sizes by Sunday.

"There's a large shortage," Easter said. "We sold everything we had within a short time after that incident happened. And everything we've gotten in since then has gone out within 20 minutes."

AP

Bissell, Inc., known more for its their line of vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaning products, is also one of the nation's largest American flag producers. The company is scrambling to find enough cotton, nylon and polyester to make the flags.

"We've had to put up signs in our windows saying we are out of stock," Davis said.

Virgil's Hardware in Glendale, next to Los Angeles, always had some flags in stock, usually about 30, said assistant manager Raul Serranto Jr. After last week's attacks, the store staff decided to increase the stock to 1,200, and they were cleaned out in two days.

"Whatever size we had, people were taking them," Serranto said.

In San Francisco, Emerson Flag Co. expanded its hours and sold more than 50,000 flags, said sales associate Bryan Anthony. Customers paid $73 and up for the store's remaining large flags.

At Big Kmart in Miami, Assistant Manager Carmen Allen said she was sure she could sell hundreds of flags — if only she had some in stock. The store had been waiting since Tuesday for its first shipment.

"There's no place around here that has it, no stores, nothing," Allen said.

Retailers say flag manufacturers typically increase American flag production between Memorial Day and Labor Day to take advantage of the Fourth of July and other patriotic holidays. Since Tuesday's attacks occurred during an off-cycle period, new shipments likely will take longer to arrive than the typical two to three days, managers said.

In the meantime, flagless customers are snapping up anything else that's red, white and blue.

"Shirts, postcards, anything with America on it is pretty much gone," said Alex Dudgeon, assistant manager of Broadway New York, a New York City gift shop. "Pretty much every other person who comes n the store wants to know if we have American flags or anything Americana."

By Karen Gaudette
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