CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — During the COVID-19 pandemic, a face mask featuring the city of Chicago's flag became popular.
And that’s been a godsend to the co-owner of the West Side company that makes the masks. It may have gone out of business, otherwise.
Ryan and Spaeth makes marching band uniforms, dance team costumes, banners and flags — a business that disappeared during the pandemic.
Alan Spaeth, the company's president and co-founder, on Friday said it switched to making cloth face masks and for several months that was the only thing it was selling.
“Even though the last year’s been tough, switching over to masks, it saved our company and we felt that we were doing something positive for the community, as well,” he said.
Sales skyrocketed after Mayor Lightfoot wore one of the company's Chicago flag masks at a news conference. Not surprisingly, sales have fallen sharply as the pandemic fades.
Luckily, the return of parades and festivals has resurrected the company's traditional business.
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