Fireworks sales fizzle in a sour economy

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

July 04, 2009 12:46 am

— CONNEAUT — Money woes are taking some of the pop! and pow! from the area’s household July 4 celebrations.
The slumping economy is taking a toll on sales at Ace-Midwest Fireworks, located on Underridge Road in Conneaut, said owner Larry Lomaz. People aren’t buying the same amount of the pyrotechnics as they have in the past, he said.
“Smaller quantities, smaller purchases,” Lomaz said. “Obviously the economy is affecting the spending habits of customers. The tremendous unemployment rate is affecting fireworks sales.”
Even so, a steady stream of people were seen coming and going from the store during a visit Friday morning. Cars with out-of-state license plates dotted the parking lot.
Inside, some shoppers needed carts to hold a supply of pinwheels, bottle rockets and other colorful noisemakers.
One man, who declined to give his name, said he is trying not to let a lighter wallet ruin his July 4 festivities.
“It’s just one day a year,” he said. “You have to have some fun.”
Slumping sales prompted Lomaz to trim the number of employees he hires for the pre-holiday rush. “We’re about 25 percent less, staff-wise,” he said.
Lomaz was counting on a big push heading into today to salvage the season.
“We anticipate a strong finish,” he said. “The majority of our business comes from Interstate 90 (a stone’s throw from the shop’s front door), but we’re enjoying good, local support. Ashtabula County has been good to us.”
Ace-Midwest’s slump comes in contrast to national fireworks sales figures, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. In the past several years, sales of backyard fireworks have more than doubled, from 102 million pounds in 2000 to 238 million pounds in 2007, according to APA’s Web site.
The economy actually gets some credit for the boost — the APA believes people are turning to home-grown firework displays as a cheaper alternative to holiday travel.