The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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June 30, 2007

Go west, young man, buy fireworks

In Ohio, locals get bang for their buck

By Patrick W. Connelly

MERCER COUNTY AREA — Thousands of Mercer County residents have found Ohio fireworks retailers to be the quick answer to adding that extra kick to their Independence Day celebrations.

“It’s the best place to go to get everything you need in one stop,” said Mark Wallace, of Wolf Creek Township, as he walked the aisles of Wholesale Fireworks in Hubbard.

Wallace, like many other Pennsylvania residents, crosses the state line each year to pick up hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks for the summer holiday.

“Normal people can’t buy fireworks like this in Pennsylvania,” Wallace said.

By law, only non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks like sparklers can be purchased in Pennsylvania by residents without a commercial display license.

Pennsylvania dealers have the authority to sell more high-powered explosives, but only appropriately-licensed residents can buy them.

In Ohio, Pennsylvania residents are allowed to purchase fireworks with more kick as long as they sign an agreement to leave the state with them in less than 72 hours.

“It’s strange that just by crossing the border a few miles you get what you want,” said Wallace.

“About half of our business is Pennsylvania customers,” Wholesale Fireworks owner Richard Naples said of the week leading up to the Fourth of July. The store is open year-round. Naples said about 70 or 80 percent of its customers come from out of state.

Fireworks’ sales continue to grow each year, partly because of increased performance and safety in the business, Naples said.

The sale of high-powered fireworks to Pennsylvania residents helps fill their need of putting on a holiday display at their homes, said Naples.

“When they shoot a show, they want bigger and better stuff,” he said.

“I can’t imagine a Fourth of July without having some fun with fireworks,” Wallace said.

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