Father, son open business to cater to flag enthusiasts
Flag enthusiasts now have a place to go where the sky is the limit concerning the types of banners they can buy.
Woody Highsmith stands outside of Flag City, a business in Martinez that he owns with his son Bud Dickson. The Belair Road business sells U.S. flags and state flags, in addition to Confederate flags and other U.S. historical flags. The store also has a large selection of garden flags, university banners, and poles and accessories.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"We just kind of listen to our customers," said Bud Dickson, who opened Flag City on Belair Road earlier this year with his father, Woody Highsmith.
"It has kind of evolved to the point where we have customers coming in, thinking they have an odd request, and we have what they are looking for."
Dickson and Highsmith opened the specialty shop after Dickson was laid off from his job.
"Three or four days later, the unit where our business is became available for rent," Dickson said. "It was mostly the Confederate stuff that drew us into opening the flag store."
The business stocks U.S. flags, all 50 state flags and many of the Confederate flags. In addition, garden flags from three different manufacturers, collegiate flags and international flags also grace the shelves of the store.
"When we stepped into the college flags, we talked about it," said Dickson, who runs the shop from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. "I really didn't want to be another Bulldog store. I wanted to represent as many colleges as possible."
Older designs of the Confederate flag, which can sometimes be hard to find, are available at Flag City, as are many of the historical U.S. banners, including Civil War and pre-Civil War flags.
In addition to selling myriad banners, the shop carries much-sought-after 20-foot aluminum flagpoles, sectional poles, brackets and accessories.
"Word of mouth has been at least half of our business," Dickson said.
"We're trying as hard as we can to listen to what people say and fulfill their needs."