Tag: United States Flag Store

Newsweek Magazine: United States Flag Store is #3 for “Collectibles”

~ Julia Bosco, PA-C ~ Leave a comment

Congratulations to everyone at United States Flag Store! 

In September 2019, United States Flag Store was awarded in Newsweek magazine’s inaugural list of the Best Online Shops 2020! This list includes 1,000 online stores, each ranked within their respective industries ranging from “Garden, Furniture & Supplies,” “Hobby, Leisure Items,” “Car, Motorcycle, Boats,” and many more. 

How was the award determined?

This is no simple award. Over 9,500 online stores were initially assessed using 48 subjective and objective criteria. Stores that passed the initial evaluation were then assessed by Statista Inc., a data-research firm, according to 41 additional criteria. Data was also collected by a nationwide survey of over 8,000 American online shoppers. Shoppers thoroughly evaluated each online store according to seven subjective criteria. As a result of this data analysis, 1,000 online stores spanning eight industries and 39 categories qualified for the inaugural list of the Best Online Shops 2020.

United States Flag Store ranked as the #3 online store in the “Collectibles” category

United States Flag Store is a leading supplier of durable high quality flags, flag poles, and flag accessories in the United States. Despite our name, we carry a diverse selection of flags including thousands of countries, religions, and sports. We also offer specialty flags such as military and POW flags, and decorative flags for every major holiday. No matter what type of flag you’re searching for, we are sure to carry it! 

Thank you to our excellent employees and valued customers – this award would not be possible without you!

Interested in seeing all we have to offer? Visit our online store.

To read the published Newsweek article and see the full list of online shops, please visit here.

Have questions or comments? Please contact us toll free at 1-877-734-2458.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Flag

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The decision on which fabric to choose when purchasing an outdoor American flag (or any flag) is important. You need to take into consideration where you live (for flyability) and if you plan on flying the flag 24 hours/7 days a week (durability). United States Flag Store offers an American Flag Comparison Table to break down the flyability and durability for each fabric at different sizes to help consumers decide. Let’s take a look at the three main fabrics for flags: nylon, polyester and cotton.

Polyester is the most durable of fabrics for flags. It would be your choice if you choose to fly your flag 24/7. They are a heavier fabric, so they do require more wind to “fly”. There are two types of polyester that United States Flag store offers: sewn polyester and printed polyester. Sewn polyester flags would be the most durable of the two. They are made from a special type of polyester fabric that actually looks like coarse cotton in texture. The open weave reduces fabric stress, which makes it ideal to fly all day and in relatively high winds. These flags also feature sewn stripes and embroidered stars. Printed Polyester Flags are a more economical option. These flags are printed on silky-looking polyester fabric, but are lighter making them more flyable in less windy areas.

Nylon flags are considered the “all weather flag” due to its ability to fly in low winds and shed water, making it an ideal flag for wet climate areas. Nylon flags provide a bright, lustrous appearance making these United States Flag Store’s most popular outdoor flags.

Cotton flags, while vibrant in color, are not designed for outdoor use. Consumers can use cotton flags for outdoor use, but it is recommended for only short-term use. Cotton flags are more likely to fade, stain, shrink and lose their shape when displayed outside. Cotton flags are ideal for indoor display and are typically used as a burial flag or funeral flag (the 5 foot x 9.5 foot size that is used for covering a casket).

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Celebrating Canada Day

~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867 when the Constitution Act joined three provinces into one country: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Canada province, which then split into Ontario and Quebec. However, Canada was not completely independent of England until 1982. Canada celebrated Dominion Day, officially established in 1879, but it wasn’t observed by many Canadians because they considered themselves to be British citizens. Canadian patriotism and Dominion Day celebrations started to take off on the 100th anniversary of Canada’s birthday. And although quite a few Canadians already called the holiday Canada Day, the new name wasn’t formally adopted until October of 1982.

Here are some fun facts about Canada:

The National Flag of Canada came into being in 1965 to replace the Union Jack. It is an 11 pointed red maple leaf on a white square.

Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world, right after Russia.

Canada was named through a misunderstanding. When Jaques Cartier, a French explorer, came to the new world, he met with local Natives who invited them to their ‘kanata’ (the word for ‘village’). The party mistakenly thought the name of the country was “Kanata” or Canada.

Alternative names proposed for Canada in 1867 were Borealia, Cabotia, Transatlantica, Victorialand, and Superior.

Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world’s lakes combined.

Canada is home to the longest street in the world. Yonge Street in Ontario starts at Lake Ontario, and runs north through Ontario to the Minnesota border, a distance of almost 2,000 kilometers (1242.74 miles).

There are more doughnut shops in Canada per capita than any other country.

Canadians consume more Kraft Macaroni & Cheese dinners than any other nation in the world.

The famous Canadian interjection “eh” is actually listed in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary as a valid word.

There’s an area in the Hudson Bay region that has less gravity than the rest of the planet.

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Happy Birthday US Coast Guard!

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SAMSUNGThe Coast Guard turned 224 years old yesterday August 4, 2014. Beginning in 1790, Congress commissioned a flotilla of 10 to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. (www.military.com) The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations in our government. The original name was Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service the name was changed in 1915 when the government joined the Service with the Life-Saving Service to form an organization to serve all maritime services. Including, saving life at sea, enforcing our nation’s maritime laws, aid to maritime navigation, operating the nation’s Lighthouses, Merchant Marine licensing and inspection, since 2003 the Coast Guard has served under the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard has been a defensive frontline in its long esteemed history.

The Women’s Reserve of the U. S. Coast Guard Reserve program (officially nicknamed the “SPARs”), was first established in 1942. LCDR Dorothy Stratton transferred from the Navy WAVES to serve as the director of the SPARs. A total of 978 women officers and 11,868 enlisted women served in the SPARs during World War II. (www.uscg.mil) although women were keepers of lighthouses as early as the 1830’s. In 1973, Congressional legislation ended the Women’s Reserve and women were first officially integrated into the active-duty Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve. This background is sparse (this is a blog!). For more 411 please check out the USCG link.

My girlfriend Melanie and I graduated from high school in 1979. I asked Melanie to tell her story.

What age were u when joined?

I went into the Coast Guard through the “Delayed Enlistment Program” in signed up when I was 17 yrs, I forged my mothers signature to the paper work.

Why the USCG versus another branch of the military?

Actually, there are 2 reasons – 1st one is that I got interested when in 6th grade on a field trip to an air station in Port Angeles, WA. Then I figured I’d go into a smaller military thinking that there may be better opportunities. I was not offered very many opportunities after high school.

What opportunities were offered u as a women?

None really, it was 1979 and they men including the officers thought of the women as “moral incentives for the men” kind of sucked. (that is another story in itself)

Save over 50% of retail on this flag at the US Flag Store!

What were your duties?

I was first stationed in Cape May, New Jersey (Boot camp). While in Cape May I won a push up contest against the guys and I was approached by an officer and asked if I would be interested in being the very first “Full Time” fire fighter in Kodiak, AK. Silly me thought why not. That was the hardest job I have ever had. Men usually only need to prove themselves once with other men, I was forced to proved my abilities daily (I had to carry 200lb men up and down ladders in and out of windows, etc…every stinking day. Then I was stationed in San Diego & Texas (ship and oil well firefighting schools). Then I was sent to Petaluma, CA (Coast Guard Station Two Rock)where I trained to be a radioman. Then to Charleston SC I was radioman their, and off the Miami, FL where I also was a radioman. (As far as busy USCG bases Miami was crazy, I would handle at least 20 SARS (Search & Rescue cases), about 5 Drug enforcement cases, and maybe 10 immigration cases at the same time. I extended my enlisted for one year and got out in 1984.

What is your proudest moment in your USCG career?

I have several but the one that stands out the most is in 1980 I was on Leave in Georgia and came across a vehicle overturned in a ditch. I crawled into the car and assisted the occupant while Billy Carter stood outside the car and kept putting out the fire that had erupted. He told his brother Jimmy about me and I was awarded one of the highest medals offered by the coast guard for bravery and courage.

Now that you have a daughter of your own, would u recommend a military career?

Yes, I would recommend the Coast Guard to my daughter, it taught me valuable lessons that I use every day.

What advice to young women seeking a Coast Guard career would you give?

Check into the academy or officer training schools, an officer life is a much better one. Also, keep your mouth shut, follow orders whether you agree with them or not and just try to have the best time you can.

Melanie was the First Full-Time Women Fire Fighter in the United States Coast Guard. What an accomplishment in that era, because she helped pave the way for women Coast Guard members than set precedent today. Today, on the Birthday of our United States Coast Guard I say THANK YOU for all you do. For my girlfriend Melanie, you are so brave and true, thank you for being my friend.

Jacquie

Priceless!

~ Online Stores ~ 1 Comment

500 flags USA46HFESpear25PKUS Flag Stores received their third entry (second official but that’s a story for another day) in our Priceless! campaign, requesting loyal customers to show us their products in exchange for a $25 credit and tons of appreciation. The rules are simple – a photo of any of our store’s products in use, emailed to elizabeth.stubna@onlinestores.comalong with your customer email or name, and the SKU/item number of the product – will get you fame and fortune. Ok, not much of either, but some of both.

wall south USA46HFESpear25PKEddie (USMC) and Jacquie M. of Florida sent the photos you see here in this blog. They purchased 500 of our little American made flags for Memorial Day and placed them around Veteran’s Memorial Park in Pensacola, Florida to honor others.

When we notified Jacquie of the thank-you credit posted to her account, she replied, “I can’t wait until Eddie gets home. I kinda want to be selfish and get him the US Marine Corp flag, but I will wait ’til we decide together.” If thinking of picking out something for someone else is “selfish,” may we all be that selfish. Thank you to you both!

Beautiful couple, beautiful photos!wallsouth USA46HFESpear25PK

Yes, Made In America

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FLGFACC1000025745_-01_FlagZone-Residential-Solar-Flagpole-LightI don’t know about you, but reading about 260 “displaced” factory workers in a time when unemployment is supposedly improving, really makes me mad. These are local folks who work hard for a wage that requires a second income if they want their kids to go to college – or simply to survive, if they head single-parent homes. As a country, America is a consumer nation, importing more goods than we export. What we export are services and technology. All very good things. But what the nation was founded on – hard work and tradition – is getting lost in the new economy.

The reason the mill workers mentioned above are facing layoffs is because of the cheap import of steel. Their employer has been lobbying against inequity for awhile, to remain nominal in cost and continue employing its workers. But it’s just plain less expensive to import so many products. In a time when the mill was lobbying to reduce imports of steel so they could remain competitive, the imports increased exponentially. Now we see men and women who were looking forward to retiring in five years, needing to find new jobs. We see a stalwart of the American industry closing down yet another factory. We see young kids who know the value of hard work entering the field only to exit again.

It’s a tough economy. And yes, United States Flag Stores does import some of their products. You can clearly see on the item description pages, the Country of Origin. It’s there for every flag so you know exactly what you are buying when you place your order. We carry some imported flags for those of you who may prefer something about them – the price, the material, your homeland (because America is the great Melting Pot!). And every customer is important; every customer is why we are in business; every customer has his or her own story. But if you do a search of all of our products, and plug in “America” for Country of Origin on our US Flag search page, you will see over 550 United States flags made right here in America – more than all other countries combined. We have thousands of US-made International flags site-wide, again far more than any other country of origin. Because we love our country. And we know you do, too. Thank you to all our loyal customers who support this American company by buying American flags.

He Showed Us His!

~ Online Stores ~ 1 Comment

ImageUnited States Flag Store, in conjunction with the other merchants of Onlinestores, Inc., is currently inviting owners of our products to send us photos of them in use or on display. For our loyal customers’ efforts, we are rewarding them with $25 in store credit, and displaying their photos across our social media.

Stephen N. of MA sent us this photo of the United States Flag Store flag in his front yard. “[Here’s]…my American Flag on the flag pole in my front yard. One of the things I like best about the home we purchased.” This quality Valley Forge flag is SKU #USA46SPVF . It is a sturdier flag designed for colder climates and has a 6-month warranty. Stephen purchased it two years ago and has been flying it ever since. A repeat customer that first ordered from us in 2008, Stephen also flies a US Marine Corp flag that he bought from us. “I proudly fly the American-Made flags I purchase from Online Stores.”

Thank you, Stephen!

Free American Flag Giveaway

~ Tommy McLaughlin ~ Leave a comment

The United States Flag Store to give away 2,000 free American Flags

New Stanton, PA June 5, 2009– The United States Flag Store announced plans today to give away 2,000 American flags for free on a first-come, first-served basis. The announcement comes on the heels of the company’s latest endeavor into the rapidly growing world of social media – most notably, Twitter.

In celebration of their debut onto one of the fastest growing websites in recent history, the United States Flag Store plans to give out 2,000 2 ½’ x 4’ Annin American flags for free to their next 2,000 Twitter followers. Thanks again to the world’s largest online flag store, customers all over the world are now only a simple mouse click away from receiving a free American flag, just in time for the 4th of July.

This latest promotion by the United States Flag Store is sure to generate some well deserved attention for the company, who has continued to experience truly unprecedented growth since its inception in early 2001 – due in large part to their truly incredible product line.

About the United States Flag Store
The United States Flag Store is the single largest part of the Online Stores, Inc. family. Founded by Lisa and Kevin Hickey in 2002, Online Stores, Inc. is a rapidly growing, family owned company based near Pittsburgh, PA. Three times voted among America’s Top 500 Internet Retailers, Online Stores operates nine internet retail stores including the United States Flag Store, the most popular retail flag website, and the English Tea Store, the second most popular tea website as ranked by Alexa.com.

For your free flag, be sure to visit http://flags.me/special-events today!

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Five Stars for United States Flag Store

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I really enjoy browsing the United States Flag Store! Do not let the name fool you; there are decorative and international flags too. I used to think flags were only for political enthusiasts. The United States Flag Store has something for everyone. Flags are not simply patriotic; they can be whimsical and fun too!

Decorative Flag

The United States Flag Store introduced me to an entirely new view of flags. There is an extensive selection to choose from. You can select a flag or banner to express your enthusiasm for football, NASCAR, holidays, seasons, and so much more. You can also custom design a banner or flag to your liking. How fun is that? Decoration for your home designed by you.

I found the quality of the decorative flags from the United States Flag Store to be impeccable. It featured aesthetically pleasing appliqué and embroidery. The colors are very striking and attract lots of attention. What is better than that? Your house can be the best decorated on the block with a flag or banner from the United States Flag Store.

You can also purchase accessories for flags and banners. It is truly one-stop shopping at the United States Flag Store. Isn’t it frustrating when your favorite store sells an item and without the accessories to accompany it? That was not a problem shopping at the United States Flag Store. A banner flagpole kit was the perfect accessory to make my yard look great. The kit included everything I needed to display my banner flag.

In addition to amazing selection, accessories, and superior quality – the prices are very reasonable. You will be just as impressed if not more as I am with this internet retailer. Overall, I give the United States Store a five-star rating for selection, quality, and price. I recommend to anyone looking for a unique decorative addition to their home visit the United States Flag Store.