Fireworks tents see business boom as the Fourth nears
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Mike Hanus, right, and his daughter Carrie help Evan Knutson of Janesville pick out some finale fountains at TNT Firewaorks on Court Street in Janesville.
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Customers at TNT Fireworks on Court St. in Janesville can get more bang fot the buck with this huge assortment of fireworks called The Big Bang.
Tips for celebrating
One thing all fireworks retailers have in common are shelves piled high with bombs and noisemakers. So how can you determine which products are legal in your town? The operators who spoke with the Gazette promised their products are all legal in Wisconsin but said they’re happy to answer questions about specific community regulations.
Each municipality has its own rules, but there are some general guidelines for your shopping list:
-- Sparklers less than 3 feet in length, stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, small smoke bombs and caps, noisemakers and confetti poppers with less than ¼ of a grain of explosive material are legal without permits—unless local ordinances prohibit the items.
-- Anything that explodes, moves along the ground or leaves the ground is illegal unless a group has a permit. That includes roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets and mortars.
Source: Janesville Fire Department and Wisconsin Department of Justice
JANESVILLE — Hundreds of fireworks and 11 kids in the same house might not seem like the brightest idea.
But when an opportunity to run a tent in Janesville for TNT Fireworks came up, homebuilder Mike Hanus couldn’t pass up the extra income.
“It does take a lot of time and we do have 11 kids, so it’s a lot to handle,” he said. “They’re all home-schooled and play in sports leagues, which all costs money.”
Tent operators average as much as $3,500 in profit each season, said Roger Meiklejohn, TNT’s manager for Wisconsin, who oversees about 50 tents across the state.
Hanus and other tent retailers in Janesville said business is still on pace this year, but sales on Friday and Saturday will be the real test.
“(Those days) are just unbelievable,” said Diane James, owner of Big Top fireworks, which has a tent in Janesville. “We can’t even really prepare our employees for the rush that comes on July 3 and 4.”
Hanus said his tent takes in as much money in sales on July 3 as the two weeks prior, and July Fourth sales usually double that combination of sales.
Meiklejohn said customer service is the most essential part of a successful tent.
“It really is just retail sales,” he said. “It’s about treating people well and helping with what they need.”
Tent operators are always combating a negative stereotype, Meiklejohn said.
“A lot of people think of fireworks stands as creepy places,” he said. “We try to be the opposite of that—colorful, bright, well-lit with friendly staff.”
TNT operators also stay in their tent overnight during the season. Hanus said that saves him time and work because the fireworks can stay set up, but hot weather can make the experience less than pleasant.
Big Top does not require employees to stay in the tents overnight, James said. Instead, they unpack hundreds of fireworks each morning and repack at the end of the day.
“I just couldn’t (sleep there),” James said. “I’d rather take it in and out every night.”
James has been working fireworks tents for her family since she was a teenager, but the company has run locations in Janesville for about 12 years.
Preparing for the holiday is a full-time job, and knowing your products is important to making sales, she said.
“It takes years of experience. You really have to know what you’re doing in this business,” she said.
Janesville fire marshal Larry Hainstock said tent operators must submit to an inspection each year. Hainstock said he checks to make sure the tent is fire retardant, fire extinguishers are in place and “no smoking” signs are posted in the stand.
“The people who sell every year have always complied,” Hainstock said. “We haven’t had a real problem.”
Tent operators also must apply for a permit with the city clerk.
James’ two daughters and son have grown up around the tents, helping their parents once they were old enough and learning the business, she said. She’s ready to retire and pass the sparklers to the next generation.
“They rode around with us and saw us running around, (saying) ‘Ok, this need to be done,’” she said.
“They really learned the retail part and see that it isn’t an easy job.”
Jul 2, 2009 at 10:25 a.m.
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beeferer is referring to the plane that had "spark radar" they would tell police where and go bust them.
I think it is a waste of money as well BUT somebody that likes fireworks may think it is a waste to spend money on flowers. Atleast they last 6 months. more bang for my buck haha.
I always thought you had to be from IL to buy in Janesville tents cause theyre illegal and vice versa? those look like the BIG illegal ones in the pic. They state the man in pic is from Janesville.
Jul 2, 2009 at 10:14 a.m.
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Some fireworks retailers feeling pinch of economyBy ASSOCIATED PRESS Thursday, July 2, 2009 - 7:28 a.m. EMAIL RSS SHARE ADVERTISEMENT
WAUSAU, Wis. (AP)
interesting!!! contradiction here huh?
Jul 2, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.
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I'm surprised anyone is buying fireworks. Instead of spending $50 on fireworks, why not do a video of yourself burning a fifty dollar bill? You would get a bigger reaction from people watching that than you would from people watching ho-hum sparklers and stinky tar-worms blackening your sidewalk.
Jul 1, 2009 at 11:58 p.m.
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miyata312: Saw some big blasts near South Main and Racine streets earlier this evening. And, of course, hearing lots of smaller items being set off. Tonight is the first time we've been seeing (and hearing) this activity this summer ... one neighbor told me it's started because "lots of people got their unemployment and assistance checks in the mail today." I don't know if he was joking or being serious with that comment. Whatever ... everybody, please just practice safety first this weekend.
Jul 1, 2009 at 11:36 p.m.
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Well we just had a 15 min BANG BANG BANG fest near here. Probably another round at 1:30-2AM. I guess the retards shooting them off dont have to work in the morning.
Jul 1, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.
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I use to love fireworks myself.Then I worked 2 summers at a tent mostly 16 hour days on hot blacktop, sweltering and being exhausted for about 10 days straight. To this day I really can't stand the smell of fireworks. Although my boss set off some of the most awesome shows in her back yard...way better than any of the shows done around here by the cities. I still don't care to buy, use or ever sell them again LOL
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Please be safe everyone who is setting them off. And please be considerate of your neighbors, after all not everyone shares your enthusiasm for fireworks especially if they cause damage or litter so they have to pick up after you.
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Have a Happy 4th !!!!
Jul 1, 2009 at 2:27 p.m.
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4th of July fireworks are to some, what is to others putting out tens of thousands of christmas lights around the house, yard etc.
I just wished I didn't always have to pickup these tree trunk sized bottle rocket sticks in my yard :P
have fun, but don't burn me out of house and home. or hurt my back picking up the never ending getting bigger bottle rocket sticks. maybe they'll let me plug in their outlets next year when I try to add 2,000 more lights? that would be fair play!
Jul 1, 2009 at 1:27 p.m.
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Has anyone thought about letting charities sell the fireworks and make some money. This is a HUGE fund raiser in Sacramento, although I don't know how any group makes any money any more. There is a freaking firework stand on almost every corner. Sometimes thre are two in one strip mall. But it was a great idea at first. Lots of money was made.
Jul 1, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
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localmatters~~I WISH it was like that where I live!! Most of us are responsible and have fun. But, like anything, there has to be that one idiot who ruins it for everyone!! You know like where you were in school and one motor mouth couldn't be quiet and EVERYone had to put their heads on their desks!! :::sigh:::: LOL oh well, we bear through it~~but I really wish we didn't have to. It would be so much nicer if EVERYone could use their common sense!!
Jul 1, 2009 at 11:39 a.m.
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I enjoy riding down the street watching the "show". It's normally one day a year in my neighborhood and it ends up being a time for everyone to come together and have a laugh or two.
Enjoy the 4th.
www.spend-local.com
Jul 1, 2009 at 11:14 a.m.
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I also agree with the neighbor comment. While I do like the firewoks and all the fun, I don't like being woke up in the middle of the night for the next month because neighbors around you can't get over the 4th! Use it up on the 4th and get over it! My husband gets up at 3:00 am to go to work, we would appreciate not being woke up.
Jul 1, 2009 at 11:09 a.m.
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I am not sure if it is the economy, or threat of heavy fines, but it has been quiet so far in Janesville. Several years ago, it sounded like war starting the last week in June. To each his own as long as it does not go on all night long.
Jul 1, 2009 at 11:09 a.m.
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Well, we've already had a roman candle land in one of our brush piles, and every year it seems they land on the roof of our house or rental. I think it's nuts that people would put themselves or their kids at risk of serious injury, but even though I'm sympathetic to them making that choice, for me the week or so surrounding Independence Day isn't celebratory, but nerve-wracking worrying that some of my property is going to be destroyed. That's in addition to the morons who throw poppers off the porch at random times, which is obviously not for their own amusement but to make people jump. If there's patriotism in that I don't know how to see it.
Jul 1, 2009 at 10:59 a.m.
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We like fireworks and do a few every year. We don't spend lots of money, but enough to make the kids happy!! I do hope, though, our idiot neighbors refrain from fireworks this year. For the past 7 years, they like to shot them off over MY yard, hit my house, my car and my dog AND then leave the crap for me to pick up every year. THESE are the kind of people the cops need to be on the look out for and ticket!! Sorry, had to get that off my chest LOL I keep it bottled in every year when they do it instead of causing a neighborhood war!! LOL
Jul 1, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.
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Beeferer: LOL!!
Jul 1, 2009 at 8:29 a.m.
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"Why would you need an airplane?" Bottle rocket target! (Tongue in cheek)
Jul 1, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.
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Why would you need an airplane?
Jul 1, 2009 at 12:52 a.m.
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Has anyone heard if they are going to have the airplane circling around town again this year?? A lot of people got tickets last year.
Jun 30, 2009 at 11:40 p.m.
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It takes all kinds to make a world. Of course it is a waste of money, but it isn't my money that is wasted. One man's trash is another man's treasure, or so they say. Plus, I like to sit out on my porch with a beverage (also an admitted waste) and and see my the spontaneous show all for free. People doing positive things, even if it might be against city ordinance, makes me hopeful - and that is patriotism.
Jun 30, 2009 at 11:15 p.m.
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booch11: Why are you defensive? Lighten up; it's just an opinion.
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:22 p.m.
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sarah:
my guess is you have something in your life where you spend money -- and chances are, i would find it a complete waste of time and money.
lighten up.
it's the 4th of July from cripes sake. you and truth1 need to have some friggin fun for once and quit complaining.
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
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truth1 -- PLEASE got over yourself!
Jun 30, 2009 at 9:51 p.m.
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truth1 - I guess I won't go to anymore baseball games, or anymore concerts, or partake in anymore forms of entertainment since it isn't "patriotic" in your eyes.
"O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."
That's patriotic enough for me!
Jun 30, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.
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i believe blowing up stuff is my way of showing how much i love america - it's what george washington and jesus would want!! USA!! USA!!!
Jun 30, 2009 at 8:07 p.m.
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I agree with you that say its such a useless waste....Its not "patriotic" to make a bunch of noise, it does nothing and signifies nothing and I don't see where its all that much "fun"..If you want to be patriotic, join a protest or DO something that actually matters.
Jun 30, 2009 at 5:58 p.m.
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It would be nice if Janesville had a certification program to allow people to enjoy any consumer 1.4g type firework with permit. There's a lot of good folks in Janesville that would gladly take a safety course and pay a modest permit fee to use fireworks during the week of the 4th.
Jun 30, 2009 at 5:46 p.m.
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To each their own I guess. It's good fun entertainment, and usually people are willing to pay for entertainment. Perhaps I could ask why people still buy fruit cake during the Christmas season :)
Jun 30, 2009 at 5:44 p.m.
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And i was just thinking, how much you waste when have the stuff you buy is duds (sp?) and don't work.
My sisters boyfriend bought some stuff the other night and half the stuff didn't even work!
Jun 30, 2009 at 5:41 p.m.
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Who would pay $600 for that?!?
Jun 30, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
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SarahB1 i agree with you. I started to get bored with fireworks at a young age and find them a waste of money. I would rather have my parents spend money on more needed items than fireworks that last what 30 min if not less.
Maybe when I have kids I will get back into the spirit but other than that. -waste of money-
Jun 30, 2009 at 5:25 p.m.
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I'll probably get attacked for this statement, but I am sadly amazed at how much money people throw toward this stuff every summer. I am happy for the folks who can make extra money selling the items, but it all seems like such a waste.
Jun 30, 2009 at 5:15 p.m.
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Grabbed some of the "good" stuff when I was in Missouri this year. Just make bottle rockets, roman candles, mortars and all the good stuff legal. If they're used properly and as instructed they're no more dangerous than sitting next to a bonfire.
Jun 30, 2009 at 4:27 p.m.
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You know what sucks the new police chief in Milton wont let anyone have fireworks this year, now he is new in town wouldn't you think he would want to be a little more open to families having them. He's not making many friends this way. But I want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Fourth of July
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