Like a modern day Betsy Ross, June Gowens of Central Oregon Flag and Banner in Bend has been hand-stitching stars on Old Glory for over 15 years, carrying on a tradition of American craftsmanship and national pride.
The high-flyin’ flag firm was started back in 1991 by Everett Huffman, who began it as a side hobby, selling state flags, foreign flags and especially a line of American flags which he loved, being a Korean War veteran. Since then, holidays and celebrations have been brightened by the Huffman family with their bold array of phenomenal flags, windsocks and yard flags.
“It was a fun hobby that quickly blossomed into a thriving business,” said his daughter, June Gowens, who currently operates the business from their home base.
“He was the only one doing flags at the time. I remember another company that popped up but now they’re gone and that leaves only us. There was a huge demand for quality flags in the area and my dad filled it.”
Gary and June Gowens bought the business in 1997 after Everett retired and expanded the line to include college flags, sports team banners, custom family flags with logos and event banners for business promotions, farmers markets, arts and crafts festivals and any reason one can imagine.
“For instance we do all the flags for Crosswater at Sunriver Resort and Broken Top’s resort homeowners association at the gate entrance,” she said. “Those specialty flags are eight-foot by twelve-foot and have a mountain scene appliqué. We also do Les Schwab Tire outlets and all the colorful wing flags along the pedestrian bridge at the Old Mill District. We even supply the famous smokestack flag in the Old Mill and that one is a fifteen by twenty-five foot giant. People love that big American flag. Keeton King Construction are the ones who put it up for them.”
Central Oregon has long been known as a fiercely patriotic place and there are many passionate advocates involved in keeping the flags raised and waving proudly in communities from Redmond to Bend and Sisters.
After beginning life on Wall Street, Central Oregon Flag and Banner was located at Ninth and Wilson for eight years, then moved to Carmen Loop for a while before bringing the operation back home to help cut costs and keep the quality and loyal customer service they’ve been known for all these years.
“We still attend to all our major corporate clients, longtime customers and homeowners across the region. Our country was founded by mom and pop shops and family run businesses and I think it’s important to recognize and support local companies who provide specific goods and services to assist the community’s economy.”
“All of our materials, from state and foreign flags, to any custom order are done totally with American-made materials, thread and labor. I will not sell an American flag that is made in China. We also do flagpoles from three-foot baby poles clear up to 100 feet depending on our customer’s needs. We also do flagpole service, parts and repair for parks and recreation areas, private homeowners and commercial locations, anywhere a flag is flying.”
Gowens explains that from Memorial Day through The Fourth of July business really picks up and people are buying lots of American flags, eager to display their patriotism for Independence Day. They sell everything from 12X18 inch, 200-denier nylon flags at $20 each, all the way up to a massive 50X80 foot, double-woven polyester flag that costs over $9000.
“When we’re making the American flags there is a certain pride and history involved. In 2001 there was a shortage after the 9/11 attacks and we had people lined up out the door and down the street. All the cheap Chinese-made American flags people settled for only lasted about two weeks so they came back here to order. Our flags are lock-stitched but the overseas-made flags are chain-stitched. They’re like opening a dog food bag where all the thread unravels and goes right up the stripe.”
“With making our national flag I do feel a certain sense of accomplishment,” she said. “My husband was in Vietnam and my dad was in Korea so there’s an even greater significance in assembling and creating these flags that we take very seriously.”
The crew at Central Oregon Flag and Banner can do specialty requests like vinyl banners and logo table covers for conventions, trade shows and outdoor markets. People can design almost anything they’d like to advertise and email them the lettering or logo. June and Gary can then help clients decide on the proper size and color. For nylon they have 48 colors to choose from and vinyl backgrounds run in most major colors and takes just days to make.
“We believe in the American flag and our freedom and what our servicemen and women have done for our country and are still doing,” said June. “We enjoy the creativity our business brings. We have the most wonderful customers in the world and they’ve become our friends and extended family. They’ll follow us wherever we go and stand by us and it’s just amazing.”
Central Oregon Flag And Banner can be reached at 541-382-1415 or email them for orders and prices at flagandbanner@bendbroadband.com.
