Rain fails to dampen fireworks sales

Light rain Sunday afternoon didn't appear to be putting a damper on fireworks sales in the Topeka area.

Justin Horton said a steady stream of customers was making purchases at the Jake's Fireworks tent he manages just south of the Kwik Shop at 4500 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Meanwhile, John and Tina Haid also used the term "steady" to describe business at their Bellino Fireworks tent on the John Hoffer Subaru parking lot at 1040 S.W. Wanamaker.

The two sites are among 61 where vendors are licensed by either the city of Topeka or Shawnee County to sell fireworks this year from June 27 until July 5, which is Tuesday.

After Sunday, fireworks may be legally discharged from 8 a.m. to midnight today in unincorporated areas of Shawnee County and from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the city of Topeka.

The Haids said Sunday that business at their fireworks tent was very slow between 2 and 6 p.m. on recent days but picked up considerably each evening.

Tina Haid said, "After 6 o'clock, oh my gosh!"

The couple is running the fireworks tent on the Hoffer lot for the second year. They said that if last year's sales are any indication, business will be booming during the evening on Independence Day.

The Haids said their tent has drawn a lot of attention because of a 30-foot-tall inflatable gorilla standing in front of it. The gorilla was provided by Omaha, Neb.-based wholesaler Bellino Fireworks.

"The kids love to get their picture taken next to it," said John Haid.

Tina Haid said, "They love that gorilla."

An American flag design adorned the top of the Jake's Fireworks tent managed by Horton.

Horton suggested the current economy might be a reason the tent's customers have been "really taking advantage" of coupons that Jake's, a fireworks wholesaler, made available on its website and in a June 26 insert in The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Horton said customers in particular have been buying fireworks highlighted in the insert and on recent radio and TV advertisements aired here.

Products that were featured in the insert included firecrackers, smoke bombs, Roman candles and artillery shells, as well as fireworks assortments.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached

at (785) 295-1184

or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.