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Fireworks sales in need of a spark

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By SARAH HOYE

shoye@tampatrib.com

Published: July 3, 2009

TAMPA - A dreary economy and a week of rainy days put a bit of a damper on Bay area fireworks sales, but vendors remain optimistic.

"This is America's birthday. ... People are very proud to show their patriotism. If lighting off some fireworks helps get it done, then so be it," said Shawn Dorman, who is operating the TNT Fireworks tent at U.S. 301 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Florida law prohibits the use of "consumer grade" fireworks except for agricultural use, but that doesn't deter determined Independence Day revelers. Tents are selling everything from $1.50 sparkler packs to $500 shooting rocket sets.

Dorman and fellow tent operator Steve Gonzalez expect to do $20,000 in sales by the end of the holiday weekend - if the rain holds off. "You have to spend money to blow stuff up," said Dorman, who opened sales at his tent on June 25.

"The first couple of days weren't as good because of the rain," Gonzalez said. "But everything picks up in July anyway."

Fireworks tents and stores are gearing up for a mad rush they expect will begin today and continue through the holiday. The onslaught is like the shopping on Christmas Eve, said Chris Cooper, a Galaxy Fireworks tent operator.

"Either you like fireworks or you don't. We get everybody coming out here," said Cooper, who had $2,000 in sales Wednesday and $1,000 Tuesday. "We'll have about seven people working to help us out. It gets pretty crazy."

"The business in this game is the last two days," said sales manager Steve Bowers at a fireworks stand on U.S. 301 at St. Charles Boulevard in Riverview. Sales at his stand topped $6,000 this time last year; they were closer to $1,200 by midday Thursday.

Bad weather and the economy have taken some of the spark out of his sales so far this year, Bowers said. "We had the tent up June 26, and I think it has rained every day since."

The $20 buy-one-get-one-free mortar shell package is a hot item this year as customers look to get more bang for their buck, Bowers said. "People come right out and tell me they can't afford to spend too much because of the economy."

Robert Thrasher of Riverview is running two fireworks tents in New Port Richey this year. His most popular items are mortars, and he's getting dangerously close to running out of sparklers.

"It's slow till the Fourth," he said. "You got people who come and look, but if we were to stop selling right now, I'd be in the hole."

The weather and the loss of big spending clients such as contractors and homebuilders have chipped away at sales, said Sharon Hunnewell-Johnson, president of Galaxy Fireworks, which contracts 90 tents across Florida.

"Sales are down because of the rain, but more people staying home to celebrate this year will help," she said. "We're not seeing the large customers, but day to day, they're still here."

She, too, said a last-minute mad dash will help bail out a soggy season.

"Hopefully, you won't be able to move out there. We'll get slammed and stay slammed," she said. "That's been the trend for 25 years."

Reporters Kevin Brady and Todd Leskanic contributed to this report. Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832.

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