Firework sales stay up despite economy

Four firework stands have been lining the edge of Montana Highway 35 at the north end of town for the past couple of weeks, and with their busiest days ahead of them, business is going better than expected.

"Sales are going well," said Wanda Robinson-Little, who owns the Robinson Fireworks stand located in the parking lot on the south side of Branding Iron Station. "It's pretty much the same as last year. I don't feel that the sales are down this year really much at all. I expected them to chip down from last year, but that's not the case."

The Robinson family is the longest running operator of fireworks stands in the Valley.

The Robinsons have sold fireworks in the Flathead Valley for more than 45 years and the Bigfork stand has been in existence for at least 30 years. This year, the family has six stands in the Valley.

"My father sold fireworks when I was a kid," Robinson-Little said. "I grew up in fireworks stands."

Although the stands keep her very busy during the weeks leading up to the Fourth of July, Robinson-Little said she enjoys being in the business.

"I enjoy the people that I meet," she said. "I have a lot of repeat customers. It is the one time of year that I can catch up with their families and see what's going on with them. It is a time for me to reminisce with old customers and meet new people."

The biggest difference she said she's seen over the years in the celebratory pyrotechnics is the amount of gun powder that is allowed in the display items, which she said has increased greatly.

One of the advanced devices that she points customers to as her favorite is called Excalibur.

"It is the No. 1-rated artillery shell in the world," Robinson-Little said. "It's quite an impressive artillery in that it puts up display shells that are comparable to a commercial display."

With so many different types of fireworks available, customers don't have to spend a lot to get into the spirit of the holiday. In fact, right now most stands are selling small items to customers who just want to have some fun before the big day.

"Parents are bringing their kids in to pacify them," said Mike Felt, who is helping Robinson-Little run her stand this year. "They are allowing them to spend just $5 or $10 for now and telling them that they can come back later closer to the holiday."

Robinson-Little said that she feels that it is the sense of family togetherness that keeps people interested in purchasing fireworks even when they are having to cut things in their budget elsewhere.

"I feel that Fourth of July, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, is one of the largest family celebration days of the year," she said. "It is definitely a family-oriented day, so people do get together and celebrate it together with fireworks. That's why people still will purchase fireworks."

Down the road at TNT Fireworks Candi Evert, who operates the stand located in the parking lot at the V8 Museum for the past two years, said she has still been getting a solid response from customers considering the holiday is still several days away.

"Sales are better than last year by far," Evert said. "Last year's economy was so bad and everyone that came shopping was on such a budget. This year seems better."

Evert said that her biggest tip for those trying to get the most bang for their buck is to purchase family packs.

"They are 50 percent cheaper than buying the fireworks individually," Evert said. "We sell them in packs that range from $10 to $200. It really is a better deal."

The Pyromania Fireworks stand, located next to the Jackpot Casino, has a three-box assortment which operators suggest to customers looking for a good deal. Each of the three fireworks shoots 12 shots each.

The VFW has its annual stand open this year and boasts that they have the largest fireworks that are allowed to be sold in the state.

A unique one that the operator suggests is a 1,000-shot firework.

Although Bigfork doesn't have its own community fireworks show, private fireworks can be seen from views all around Flathead Lake, and Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce officials urge residents to be alert and aware.

"Be especially conscious of private property," executive director Bruce Solberg said.

Bigfork Fire Chief Wayne Loeffler also encourages residents to exercise caution.

"Be careful," Loeffler said. "Be cognizant of your neighbors as well as your pets and animals."

DETAILS

-The TNT Fireworks stand is currently open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., but will have extended hours over the weekend. Last year it was open one night as late as 2 a.m. About half the items at the TNT shop are sold have a buy one get one free deal. Credit cards are not accepted at this stand and only TNT products are sold there.

-Robinson Fireworks Stand is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Friday, when the shop will stay open until midnight. The stand offers fireworks made by TNT, Boomer and World Class.

-The profits from the VFW's stand go to aid Bigfork veterans. The stand, which is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with extended hours over the weekend, sells items made by Black Cat and Hong Kong Harry.

-Pyromania Fireworks has goods from Black Cat, Brothers, Shogun and World Class. The stand is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.