When Lady Liberty reopened on the nation's birthday, eyes followed the American flag soaring in the wind. It came from Hanover's Quinn Flags.
Quinn Flags has been making flags for the Statue of Liberty since 2001, 44-year-old owner Matt Quinn said. He started the business in 1994 in Glen Cove, N.Y.
Then came the 9/11 attacks. The company was contacted for a 15-feet-by-24-feet flag to place next to the Statue of Liberty after the attacks. Since the flags are pre-made, they are shipped that same day.
"U.S. flags were difficult to find at that time," he said.
The company normally sells about 100 of the giant $525 flags a year all over the United States.
But the flag next to Lady Liberty has special stitching to handle the high-powered winds, Quinn said.
The statue was closed after being pummeled by Superstorm Sandy in October.
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"I was happy to see it open on the birthday of America," he said Tuesday.
In 2004, Quinn moved his business to an affordable building in Hanover, since the cost of living is less than New York, he said. The company recently relocated to a larger building on West Chestnut Street and hired five new employees.
Quinn and his family have a planned trip to see the Statue of Liberty at the end of July.
The family-run operation does business nationwide, but Quinn's favorite job was at the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg, he said.
Quinn's Flags helped install 35 flag poles to showcase the first 35 states at the time of the Civil War.
"It was the most inspired job that we had done, since it's close to home," Quinn said.
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