Firework stands show profitability, popularity

Jamie Teibel/Summer Editor Ooh! Ahh!: Fireworks wait to be sold to eager L.A. Enterprises Fireworks and Party Supplies. They are sold year-round, but are mostly sold for the Fourth of July and New Year's.

By Jamie Teibel
Summer Editor

While most firework fanatics attend firework shows at a local park, others prefer to do it themselves. This is the reason firework stands and stores are so profitable and popular.

Robby Holmes, manager of Fireworks World, said, "It's gross how much fireworks people will buy." He said that so far, the largest amount purchased this year was $200 to $500 worth of fireworks, but he's seen people buy $1,000 worth of fireworks in the past.

Deb Shellenberger, manager at L.A. Enterprises Fireworks and Party Supplies, said she wouldn't be able to put a number on how many fireworks are sold each day, but estimated a sale of 200 cases a day.

She said the most-purchased fireworks are artillery shells and the most common purchaser is between the ages of 30 and 40. The largest amount of fireworks bought from L.A. Enterprises was $800, she said. "It's not uncommon to do $300 to $400 on one purchase."

Kay Teeter, manager and area supervisor for Crazy Dave's fireworks, said aerials and reloadable mortars are popular among her customers, who tend to be males between the ages of 19 and 22.

Safety is an issue promoted at all three stores. L.A. Enterprises hands out a flier with safety tips for fireworks, such as follow directions, never give them to small children and store and dispose fireworks properly.

Fireworks World gives tips readily, such as examples of safe places to ignite fireworks and directions on how to prepare the surrounding area. "We try to help them (customers) out the best we can," said Holmes. He said the most dangerous fireworks are the "little ones that fly." "You never know where they're gonna go, you can just hope they go where you want them to," said Holmes. "As long as you're responsible, it's not too dangerous."

Crazy Dave's promotes safety with the fireworks themselves. Teeters said, "All of our products are required by law to have extensive testing." She said things such as fuses are tested, and if they fail they are confiscated, refused and sent back to China, where they are manufactured. She said the most common cause of firework-related injury is customers who mix beer and fireworks. "People do things to create danger."

Shellenberger agrees, "Generally their (fireworks) are all safe, it's the people (who create danger)."

The age limit is also heavily enforced at the stores, especially to buy out-of-state fireworks, which have pieces that leave the ground. In order to purchase fireworks at all three locations, one must be 18 years of age with valid identification that proves date of birth.

"If they don't have an ID, we don't sell it to them," said Shellenberger.

At Fireworks World, customers are required to sign a release form before leaving the store with their purchase.