Fireworks Spark Local Sales Throughout Birmingham Area

By Bettina Boateng
Weekend Anchor and Reporter
Published: July 5, 2008

Fireworks Spark Local Sales

LEED,Ala.— Big bangs, flashes of colors and the smell of smoke; fireworks are not the only thing soaring this holiday weekend throughout the Birmingham Metro area.
The Fourth of July Holiday is also boosting sales for local business owners who are helping folks get a bang out of their buck, literally.

At Firework City in Cleburne County the sound of shopping carts being loaded with the biggest pyrotechnic cases are common as the sound of registers cashing in. At the mega fireworks warehouse there is a sense of excitement this year and it’s not just about the fireworks.

“This is a seasonal business. We are only busy during the 4th and New Years. So when you look at it… we are busy for 2 to 3 days at a time.  We were busy yesterday and today, but the day after tomorrow, they’ll be nobody in here. So we’re thankful to be packed now,” Danny Mobley, Manager of Fireworks City said.

Closer to Birmingham at a different firework store, it’s the same story.

“We had one of our best Fourth of July’s ever,” Shelton Stalls, manager of TNT Fireworks said.

A steady stream of shoppers kept employees at the warehouse in Leeds busy Saturday afternoon. From 33-shot multi-shooters to sparklers, folks picked up anything they could grab and overall, the mood of many was joyous.

“We had to stop by and get some fireworks. I want my family to enjoy them just like I did when I was little,” Steve Wilson said while standing by his wife who was nodding in agreement.

The increase in shoppers is a sign of a better sale season than the previous year, when sales were down.

“This started off as a slow season. The early part of the month sales weren’t real good and we really did not feel that much excitement , about the upcoming Fourth of July season, but as the holiday grew closer you can tell, that we kind of felt like people were ready for a holiday. Then as we got closer to last night you can tell, it was kind of a relief that a holiday was here,” Stall said.

When asked why he believed people were relived he replied Stalls told NBC 13 HD News…

“We have been dealing with a lot of gas prices and high prices on everything and this holiday weekend is just the opportunity for families to get together and have some fireworks, Bar-B-Q and just togetherness. I think a lot of those things came together yesterday to make this a real successful Fourth of July season not only for us as business owners but for Americans to pause, reflect and give thanks,” Stalls said.

Now with sales topping more than 80-thousand dollars on the first day Stalls and other managers are hoping the burst on people wanting fireworks will continue throughout the holiday weekend.