BLUFFTON — This time of year, Springfield Fireworks increases its hours and its employees — to cater to the people who come from all over the country to purchase fireworks at the Bluffton store.
It offers a “full line of consumer fireworks,” and, though it’s open year-round, this is the store’s busiest time of the year, said manager John Beagle.
“We just want them to be excited about shooting off fireworks,” Beagle said about the customers. “We offer people unique items to celebrate our country’s independence.”
The store employs about 15 people during the holiday season and three or four at other times, and is open from 9 a.m. until “no customers are in the store” during its busy season, Beagle said. Otherwise, it’s open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Located at 490 state Route 103, in Bluffton, it’s right off the highway and also offers storage unit rentals, boots and moccasins.
Though it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks in Ohio, people can purchase the artillery shells, cakes and firecrackers to use in other states, Beagle said.
And the store also sells sparklers, party poppers, snap and pops and more that are legal to use in Ohio, Beagle said.
What sets the store apart from its competition, is its selection, including about 200 different 500 gram cakes, he said.
And “when it’s busy, it’s a party atmosphere,” Beagle said.
Pam Heitmeyer stopped by on Thursday with her grandson, Alex Krouskop, to get fireworks, including 16-shot “Pride of the US” firecrackers.
Heitmeyer, of Ottoville, gets her fireworks from the store every year when they have family come to visit for July 4.
“It’s pretty, the reflection off the pond,” Heitmeyer said. And, the store is “very helpful.”
Gary Clymer, of Columbus Grove, also came to the store with his grandchildren to get fireworks for the weekend, and for them.
“We don’t like the little stuff,” Clymer said, as his grandchildren are older now. “We like the things that go up high. … Big is better.”
