In March of 1956, Les and Nancy Pearson founded Pearson Hardware in a corner of Nancy's father's grocery store.  By that summer, they had a room built on the side because the business was growing so fast.  At the beginning of the following year, they took over the entire store when  Nancy's father retired.

The hardware business was very successful until the large chain hardware stores started driving out the small businessman.  When they were contemplating going into a different line of business, they hit on the idea of flags and Delaware souvenirs, incorporating them with the hardware.

A disastrous flood in 1999 gave them a reason to eliminate the hardware part of the business and they officially changed the name to Pearson's Flags.  Their timing was perfect because, on September 11, 2001, people were lined up for a mile just to try to get into the store to buy a flag or anything red, white and blue.

After September 11th, they held their own and survived two more major floods .. but through it all they maintained their reputation as one of the best known landmarks in Stanton.