The Clintonville Chamber of Commerce tomorrow honors 73-year-old Mary Leavitt as its Businessperson of the Year. Better known as "The Flag Lady," Leavitt began selling flags out of the trunk of her car three decades ago in Libertyville, Illinois. Today, her shop - The Flag Lady's Flag Store - is a Clintonville landmark.
Merchandise in Mary Leavitt's shop uses two familiar color scheme: red, white and blue, and scarlet and gray.
"People are pretty passionate, enthusiastic people. They love the buckeye flag and the American flag," says Levitt.
Leavitt explains why patriotic music is always playing in her shop: "When people come in here, I want them to feel the meaning of America - what we're all about."
Leavitt wears a blue star lapel pin for her grandson, a Marine, who just left for Afghanistan. As a child, she had an older brother in World War 2.
"When President Roosevelt came on for fireside chats, the Star Spangled banner played, my parents called me from wherever I was, we stood at the Philco radio, faced east and put our hands over our hearts. Don't mess with me about our country," said Leavitt.
Clintonville veterinarian Paul Knapp has known Leavitt for more than 50 years. As businessperson of the year in 2008, he will present the honor to Leavitt. "What you see is what you get," said Knapp. "She really is patriotic, she's not embarrassed about it -- that's just the way she is."
Dr. Knapp says he admires much about Leavitt, including her skill at advertising her store. "Everybody knows, the store with the spirit, the flag on the awning, her phone # 263-1776 -- and you park in the back. Mary's got it all put together."
Leavitt's daughter, Lori Watson, helps run the Flag Lady's Flag Store. She says the impact of the economic downturn began to hit them in mid December. "We've been very fortunate, but it's not that we're recession proof. We're feeling it."
She says sales of USA goods have remained consistent. "It surprised m. We have a loyal group of veterans and their families, and the general public."
Watson and Leavitt have been active in the National Federation of Independent Business and other business-related organizations. Leavitt acknowledges that this is a slow time in her business, but when the crocus blooms, she says, customers will be back to replace flags worn out by winter weather. And she will be happy to help them.