Every day is Flag Day: Maple Leaf a hot commodity as trade war looms

Article content

Business, and patriotism, is booming for one London flag store ahead of the anniversary of Canada’s red-and-white, but also amid a trade row with the United States.

Ray Grabo, the manager of The Flag Shop at 150 Exeter Rd., said sales have tripled in recent days over the February average.

“We’re busier than a one-armed paper hanger . . . it really has bolstered sales the last few days,” he said. “The conversation in the shop with virtually everybody is lively.”

Article content

Grabo said the frenzy is not exclusive to flags either, with people snapping up everything from lapel pins to beach towels. Canadian-themed travel items such as baggage tags, stickers and lanyards also are flying off the shelves. He jests that those travelling, especially to Mexico, are looking to avoid being mistaken for Americans.

More people than ever also are interested in erecting flags on their porches, many for the first time, Grabo said. Though the standard Maple Leaf is a popular option, the store also offers flags that jab at U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion of absorbing Canada.

Article content

Article content

On top of Trump’s threats of annexation, the president threatens to impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Canada on March 4 and an additional 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum on March 12, sparking a countrywide “buy Canadian” movement.

The majority of flags sold at the store are made in Canada, with some made in the store, Grabo said.

“People being enthusiastic about going outside and installing a flagpole in the wintertime speaks loudly in my book, of their enthusiasm for what’s going on,” he said. The last time he saw a comparable bump in patriotic fervor was for 150th anniversary of Canada in 2017.

Saturday, Feb. 15 marks the 60th anniversary of the first time Canada’s flag was flown on Parliament Hill. Feb. 15 was declared as National Flag of Canada Day in 1996.

Article content

All five living former prime ministers issued a joint statement Tuesday urging citizens to fly the Maple Leaf not only for the anniversary, but to inspire pride in the face of economic threats from the United States.

“Virtually every person coming in is aware of the flag day for the first time for many in their lives, and also the plea from the politicians, too; let’s fly our flags,” Grabo said.

“We’ll see how long this keeps going . . . but it’s every bit as busy in the last few days, as it was coming up to the big birthday.”

— with files from The Canadian Press

jmoulton@postmedia.com

@JackAtLFPress

Article content