Cecillia Burke has given away dozens of France flags this week, at local schools, in grocery store parking lots and at the Original Flag Store locations in Barrie, Thornton and Toronto.
The president and CEO says she isn't surprised by the increased demand for the flag, as people show their support to France after the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13.
"I was here at 8 a.m. on Saturday and the phones were just going crazy already," Burke said in an interview at the Saunders Road flag store headquarters.
"Everyone wants to get a France flag. It's a very emotional response. I'm not at all surprised."
In response, Burke decided to give away small flags, designed to be flown on vehicles, to anyone who asked.
She is also accepting donations at all three retail locations and proceeds will be given to the French Red Cross.
"We generally work on large flags here on Saturday, but this week was different," she said. "We stopped everythig we were doing, so we could make more France flags."
As production stepped up, so did the demand and the red, white and blue flags "sold out almost instantly."
Outside the retail stores, the France flag flies alongside the Canadian flag and Burke says she keeps a supply in her car for distribution.
At least one Barrie school ordered flags for a "red, white and blue" day supporting France.
"People are stopping me in parking lots when I am shopping and I am giving them away," Burke said.
The demand is even greater in Toronto.
"It's hard to find a France flag," Burke said. "Our phones have been very busy and we are doing what we can."
Along with accepting donations, The Original Flag Store will donate 25 per cent of the sale of France flags to the French Red Cross.
