 (From
the Providence Journal)
By
Lauren Maluk
Seventy-five years ago, John Votolato, a native of Italy, opened
a small hardware store at 1363 Plainfield Street in the Thornton
section of Johnston, catering to Italian immigrants who were
establishing a new life in America.
"My grandfather was one of the few people in the community to
speak English. He became an agent and sold tickets for passages
to Italy," says Barbara McGuirl, who now oversees the store her
grandfather started. "Neighbors relied on him to interpret fares
and ticket information," she adds.
As a familiar figure in Johnston by the early 1900s, Mr. Votolato
began to express his appreciation to his new country by decorating
houses, churches and storefronts for various political and community
functions with flags and banners.
"All the flag and banner decorations in Johnston were done by
my grandfather. His store was the only one in the area to sell
these items," says Barbara.
Every year he would decorate St. Rocco's Church for their Italian
feast, and pave the way in color for parades that stretched along
Atwood Avenue. Mr. Votolato's popularity soared so much that
he was later elected as the first councilman of Johnston.
The hardware business eventually grew into the ABC Flag Company,
where the red, white, and blue flags and banners became a main
staple at his store. People would come from all over the state
to purchase flags at the tiny store in Johnston.
In later years, the ABC Flag Company was passed down to Mr.
Votolato's son, Mario, who runs the store today with the help
of his daughter, Barbara.
"My father is 80 years old and not able to work as much as he
used to. He does come in the store for a couple of hours a day,"
she says.
The ABC Flag Company is one of less than ten companies in Rhode
Island that sell all types of flags.
"We are not a manufacturer of flags, we're a vendor," states
Barbara. "We order our flags from a company in Pennsylvania which
has been in business since 1847," she says.
According to Barbara's husband, Bruce, there is a wide cross
section of people who purchase flags.
"More businesses and colleges buy flags than anyone else," says
Bruce. "Just recently Johnson & Wales bought 39 international
flags and poles for their graduation ceremonies," he says.
While the American flag is still the most popular of the flags
purchased at the company, more and more orders are being placed
for international and commercial decorations. He adds that he
rarely sees young people come into the store who want to show
any display of patriotism.
"The majority of people who buy American flags are World War
II veterans and older people," explains Bruce. "It's really sad,"
he says.
As Fourth of July parades and celebrations draw near, a demand
for American flags, banners and decorations is increasing.
"Most of the flags in the Bristol parade were bought here,"
says Barbara. "We have a good reputation for quality goods and
services, and we like what we do," she says.
Surrounded by her father's memories of years gone by, when patriotism
ran high, Barbara McGuirl sits behind the desk once used by her
grandfather, in a room filled with colorful flags, and simply
states to the Life reporter: "I just love flags." |
