Operators anticipate last burst of activity

A tough economy doesn’t seem to be taking the bang out of the Fourth of July for people in the Fremont area.

"We get people that come in and say, ‘This only comes around once a year and we save up for it just like Christmas,’" said Deb Carlson, who operates Marv’s Fireworks on East 23rd Street. "We have a lot of people that come up and say this is their favorite holiday."

At the Hometown Fireworks tent in Inglewood, operator Elliot Shanahan said business has been "slow but steady" and that sales figures earlier in the week were actually ahead of last year’s pace.

"We’ve increased sales every year and last year gas was $4 a gallon, almost, and it’s not this year," said Shanahan, who is in his fourth year working at the tent. "I thought those two things would sort of balance each other out."

Kathy Oerman of Arlington, who purchased fireworks at Marv’s earlier this week with her 15-year-old son, Jason, said the family was spending its typical amount - between $20-$25.

"We keep it within a reasonable range on what we spend," Oerman said.

Fremonter Carrie Kucera, who purchased fireworks for her9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, also said that the fireworks budget was about the same as in previous years.

"It’s fun for the kids," Kucera said. "It’s fun to watch them lighting them and smiling."

Carlson said Marv’s tried a different marketing approach this year, sending out fliers that contained coupons.

That has drawn some people to the stand, but she said there still are people looking for the more expensive fireworks.

"You’ve got some that are looking for the big stuff ... and then you do have a lot of people that are coming in using their coupons, using discounts and getting the buy one, get one free-type items," Carlson said.

Shanahan also has seen a wide range of spending this year.

"Some people come in looking for the best (deals) and we have some things that are buy one, get one free, and we’ll have people that come in and fill up a basket with those," Shanahan said. "Other people will come in and say, ‘I’m going to spend $200 or $300, get me the best stuff I can get.’

"We really do get a mixture of everything in sales."

With the actual holiday falling on a Saturday this year, both Shanahan and Carlson are hoping that means a good close to the week. Fireworks stands in Fremont can remain open until midnight the night of the Fourth.

"I’m anticipating a very hectic Fourth of July in sales," said Shanahan, who said that last year about half of the stand’s total sales for the week came on July 4.