Cooper Flagg’s new store touted as slam dunk for downtown Bangor

NBA star and Maine native Cooper Flagg is bringing new visitors and attention to downtown Bangor with the opening of Flagg Trading Co., a sports collectibles shop that city and downtown officials say could benefit other local businesses. Flagg, who hails from Newport and plays for the Dallas Mavericks, owns the store with his first cousin, Tyler Flagg. Located at 35 Main St., directly across from West Market Square, the store opened last week to a crowd of autograph seekers and fans. The store, which sells sports trading cards and related merchandise, occupies the ground floor of a historic mixed-use building that includes 13 apartments. "Cooper and Tyler Flagg could have opened their store anywhere and chose to be part of our vibrant downtown, which is filled with small, locally owned businesses," Betsy Lundy, executive director of Downtown Bangor Partnership, told Mainebiz. "Adding a new business, especially one with the draw that Flagg Trading Co will certainly have, will ripple out to all surrounding businesses as visitors to Downtown average 2.65 transactions per visit, so attracting new visitors to Downtown will have a community-wide effect," she added. Lundy said Bangor also has a longstanding connection to basketball as the host city for Maine high school basketball tournaments and the home of the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame. Customers from around the country Opening day drew fans from across Maine, New England and beyond. People began lining up on Main Street as early as 3 a.m., according to city officials. The first person in line came from Lubec, while other visitors traveled from as far as San Diego and Toronto. The crowd included fans of all ages who came to shop and meet Flagg. Flagg was involved in the opening day celebration, greeting customers, posing for photos and ringing up sales. The event was a family affair, with Flagg's parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends all helping out. With NBA play keeping Cooper Flagg busy, Tyler Flagg will manage the store's day-to-day operations. Anne Krieg, Bangor's director of the Community and Economic Development Department, said the turnout was a sign of the attention Flagg Trading Co. could bring to downtown. "Stores like this one, where the owner recognizes the value and market of Bangor, help the whole core business district do well and provide residents and visitors a full shopping experience," said Krieg. "And it helps when the store owner is a superstar athlete." ‘Savvy career move’ Sports branding expert Gregg Glynn, president and CEO of Pliable Marketing in Augusta, said the Bangor store opening comes amid a resurgence in the trading-card industry that he expects to continue. “Cooper is smart to capitalize on his athlete brand by opening his own store,” he told Mainebiz. “We've seen other recent pro athletes do the same thing, including Tom Brady, who has several businesses, including in the collectibles market.” Glynn also called the store a smart long-term investment, extending well beyond Cooper Flagg's playing career. “It's a savvy career move by Cooper to enhance his marketability on and off the court,” Glynn said. “He is part of a new generation of athletes in the NIL era that understand the value of athlete branding and what it can do to create success for athletes during and after their careers." Renee Cordes, Mainebiz deputy editor, contributed to this story.