The Flag Store resumes its history-making role

History is repeating at The Flag Store in Sparks.

In 1989, Gov. Bob Miller asked the store to create the official flag that commemorated the 125th anniversary of Nevada statehood.

This year, the company was named to produce the official flag of the state’s 150th birthday.

But in 25 years, much has changed.

“In 1989 we made the 125th commemorative flags the old-fashioned way, by screen printing them by hand. Twenty-five years later, we are making the flags with our new state-of-the-art digital fabric flag printer,” said Martin Smith, vice president of The Flag Store.

He said the company added the new printer after watching its revenues fall by 40 percent during the recession.

The Flag Store decided to get into custom manufacturing of fabric products — flags, banners, back-lit fabric signs. The move opened new markets and improved margins on the products when they were sold at retail.

Smith said the company has added three fulltime employees and expects to add one or two more.

NNBW staff