Tougher economy has fireworks sales fizzling

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

Tools

Fireworks Sales

Customers buy fireworks at Boom City, but stores around the area say the tough economy has resulted in fewer sales this year. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Thunder is the only boom you should hear before this Sunday. That's the day firework bans start to lift in the area.

Mishawaka and South Bend Police say they've only gotten a few complaints about early celebrations. They believe they've had fewer problems because fewer people are buying fireworks.

Store mangers say business is not booming. They say gas prices areforcing people to cut back and even limit their trips to firework stores, but they hope a Friday Fourth of July will ignite sales.

Josh Chovaz and his friend were all business. Their trip to St. Joseph County took several hours and several tanks of gas.

"It is going to be one down, one up, which is kind expensive," said Chovaz who made the trip just to buy fireworks. "The Fourth of July is coming up, and we figured why not."

He budgeted $100.

"I am cutting back a little bit," said Chovaz.

He isn't the only one down-sizing his celebration.

"Not too many big, big sales. There's a lot of smaller sales. A little bit of this, a little bit of that," said Christina Fassoth, salesperson at Boom City.

Boom City says sales are down 20 percent, and sales aren't taking off at other stores.

"A big decrease in the amount people are buying. We've had the same number of customers. Nobody is spending the big amounts like they did last year," said Brandon Robertson, manager of World's Cheapest Fireworks.

Last year, the Fourth of July was on Wednesday. This year, it's on Friday. Fireworks store managers hope a weekend full of celebrations will light up sales.

"We are hoping that since it's the weekend and everyone has Saturday off, they are going to come back and buy some more," said Robertson.

"Friday is going to help. Most people get paid on Fridays. They'll come in after they get paid, and they'll spend," said Fassoth.

Chovaz did spend more than he budgeted, so he found a way to save.

"We split it up, so it was really $50 a piece," he said.

Pooling money together is just one way to save money on fireworks. Some stores are offering buy one get one free.

Boom City is offering free fireworks based on how much you spend. World's Cheapest Fireworks has five dollar off coupons in the paper. Many stores will also match competitors prices.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 6:10 PM T Gaskill wrote ...

Doesn't seem like sales are down around here. I hear them every night(no, it doesn't bother me)unless those are gunshots I'm hearing.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 3:42 PM Herb wrote ...

I just woked up from my nap and I read this thing about me being one of those unfunny mexican guys that my billy used to love. I dont understand that at all. He said it was ironical my name is herb when I never smoked his special cigs. That was before he got the Meth. Anyway, soon be July 4th and I'll fixin to get me some cherrypoppers, M80s and some beers. Gonna grill up some bison steaks too!

Thursday, Jun 26 at 3:35 PM to hardlyhard har wrote ...

you got issues and thats not right id never cheat my ed like the last 25 years dont mean nothin im really sorry for herb and all seems like some sad things in his behind him but that isnt mine ok

Thursday, Jun 26 at 3:16 PM sparky wrote ...

I usually spend abou a grand on fireworks. what is left from 4th gets used on new year's eve. LOL @ Jerry's idea for roadblocks..too funny. I'm gonna light them off down the street from you fella.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 2:50 PM Joel wrote ...

Herb, we gotta meet. Dude, you need help!

Thursday, Jun 26 at 2:46 PM Proud wrote ...

Mark , you said "bloody", are you one of the english guys like Huge Grant from 4 weddings? Wow, I had no idea people from the other world read this site too. Do you have electricity for your computer or is it clockwork? I know you dont celebrate july 4th on account of LOSING the war, but I hear you burn some guys in november or something and blow up fireworks then instead. U Crazy brits LAWL!

Thursday, Jun 26 at 1:21 PM Mark wrote ...

Too many reporters, too little news. WHO BLOODY CARES!!

Thursday, Jun 26 at 1:18 PM Hardy Harhar wrote ...

Herb & Betty are like Cheech & Chong - Up In Smoke.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 12:07 PM Joel wrote ...

By the way, what the heck is Josh Chovas driving if it took several tanks of gas to buy his fireworks?! What a pointless story.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 12:02 PM Joel wrote ...

Some of these posts, and I won't point any out (Herb) are proof why fireworks should be banned for good.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 11:44 AM Matchmaker wrote ...

Does anybody else think Herb and Betty need to hook up? lol

Thursday, Jun 26 at 10:49 AM Suspicious wrote ...

Is it just me, or are fireworks stores somewhat mysterious? Why are they open year round? How can they sustain a business when people are only really buying during one week of the year? What other things go on in those bright colorful buildings that sit ominously by the roadside, tempting us with claims of cheap fireworks. They remind me of some alcholic clown with a rap sheet of sexual misdemeanors. Be wary.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 10:48 AM betty wrote ...

i never let them laws slow me down anyhow its the planet's birthday we should celebrate it by blowing things up like those big boomer ones but be careful one tore my ear drum and i didnt hear too good for like a month but it was still good time.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 10:35 AM Herb wrote ...

Back in the day I would buy chinese fannycrackers for 5c a time. Now it seems I just can't get any kinda bang for under $20. July 4th is a great time to celbrate though. Me and Billy used to set stuff off every day for a week before it. His eyes would light up in wonder, course that was before the meth got him, after that it was just me. I cant hear the bangs no more but I love to see the colors. Sometimes I see her face in them.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 10:03 AM Jerry - Niles wrote ...

i agree with Joel & GB!!! I wish Indiana would ban the deadly kind like michigan does! I am so tired of hearing those Indiana Fireworks all night long and I live in Michigan. i wonder why michigan don't put up roadblocks and stop all illegal indiana fireworks from coming into Michigan?

Thursday, Jun 26 at 8:37 AM GB wrote ...

I agree with Joel. I am glad less will be spent on fireworks. I'm sick of hearing them all summer long. That ordinance that the city passed last year is a joke. The guy behind me lights very loud and big fireworks off everyday, and I mean everyday. Its annoying and disrespectful the rest of the neighborhood. Its only supposed to be for the 4th. Anything thing after that is just uneccessary.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 6:56 AM Joel wrote ...

Every single thing that isn't as good as last year is now the fault of high gas prices. I'm soooo sick of hearing this. Who really cares that fireworks sales are down? I'm happy as can be to hear this. Now I don't have to hear fireworks going off thru the night for the next 4 months.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 6:00 AM Don't like to get ripped off wrote ...

I knew a family in this business who used to make us great deals on fireworks. They laughed about how much money they made on fireworks. Have you ever noticed they're 1/2 off within the first week after July 4? Guess what they're still making a killin on em.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 5:20 AM c wrote ...

This year our whole family is pooling together and doing the 4th as a whole. That way we get a great show for 20 each. Elkharts public fire work show is not even worth the gass.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 3:48 AM Cheech and Chong wrote ...

Fireworks are fun, but too costly. Your money goes up in smoke. They are overpriced worse than onion rings.

Wednesday, Jun 25 at 8:49 PM Todd wrote ...

Buy on and get one free is ok if it does not cost $20.00 you can only buy 5 things and your already at $100.00 need to lower prices.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 27
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Wheel of Fortune
7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
NCIS
9.00
The Mentalist
10.00
Without A Trace
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
Late Show with David Letterman

Question of The Day

When was the last time you bought a car?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.