What the business does: The family owned and operated business sells banners, flags, poles, kites and accessories for commercial and retail use. It has changed its name over the years to reflect the products and services it provides. The original business, Creative Signs, sold business signs and billboard advertising. With a rising customer demand for flags in the 1980s, the name became Creative Signs & Flags. A changing signage industry due to the introduction of vinyl products that made nice advertising banners and the popular hobby of flying kites, resulted in the next name change, Creative Banners Flags & Kites. The most recent and current name is Creative Banners Flags & Poles and reflects the current interest in installing flag poles and a decreased interest in kites.
In addition to creating and selling banners, flags, bunting and accessories, Creative Banners Flags & Poles also installs products and can repairs poles and relocates flag poles for customers who move. April Yox Sakach, a Fairmont High School graduate and trained graphic designer, is an integral part of the design process at the store.
What makes the business stand out: Known for making custom flags, clients can select from U.S. flags, foreign flags, state and organization flags and banners. Providing quality products that are made in the United States and filling niches not addressed by larger stores like a display of decorative garden banners, has allowed the company of one part-time and four full-time employees to flourish over the years.
The business is also a drop-off site for old flags and damaged flags that are then properly disposed of by local Boy Scout groups. Customers at the store can also see some interesting historical flags featuring 48 stars and a display of military artifacts like a World War II helmet.
How the business started: In 1978, after serving in the military during the Vietnam War, Jon Kurtz and his wife decided to start a business in Dayton, where Karen's father Benoit Singleton owned a window factory. The couple bought the Long Sign Company and made illuminated and painted signs. Their son, Pete, who is now a store manager and in charge of installations, was only 7 at the time.
“One of the coolest things is the many veterans and POWs that we’ve met over the years,” said Pete, of his customers. “We had one older customer buy a flag for a private air field down South. He was former military and wearing a neck tie with an old prop war plane that he flew. We also get current military families with children saying that their Daddy is coming home after his third tour overseas.”
Customer comment: "I like this business, because they have a variety of things that I need," said Jerry Emrick, a Korean War veteran, who displays a U.S. flag at his Washington Twp. home. "The pricing here is competitive. You can buy cheaper flags at other places, but they don't last."
Contact information: Creative Banners Flags & Poles is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday and can be reached at (937)-228-5577, www.creativeflags.com, or karen@creativeflags.com
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