Area business owners are now overcoming a fireworks shortage ahead of Independence Day.
Data from the research firm IHS Markit shows the U.S. imported about 255 million pounds of fireworks last year. According to NBC News, the fireworks industry warns supply may be down about 30 percent this year due to issues with the supply chain. That means there could be a shortage of more than 76 million pounds of fireworks.
"I would say we maybe had a fourth of what we normally would for a long time," said Chuck Decker, owner of Decker's Uncle Sam Fireworks in Howard. "Two weeks ago we were really short, really scared."
People can find 30,000 cases of product at Uncle Sam Fireworks, including sparklers, fountains, smoke bombs, snakes, rockets, aerials and roman candles. Some even have a Star Wars twist with a "Night Sabor."
"You could have a beautiful display, whether you want to stay close to the ground or go way above the trees," said Deb Decker.
The Deckers said the store had a record breaking season in 2020. Deb Decker said the shelves were completely bare and they sold out of "everything they had."
This year, the Deckers said sales started out slow due to short merchandise from shipping delays, which put their trucks and containers about two months behind.
Now thanks to more incoming shipments, the shelves are getting close to being fully stocked. Deb Decker said the store will be at about 70 percent of normal. She said they hope to see similar sales numbers as last year.
"It'll work out. It always does," Decker said.
At Boom 92, 1043 Griffiths Ln, people can find shelves filled with mid-size aerials, firecrackers, mortars, sparklers and 500 gram blocks.
Ben Weltzien, a senior employee at Boom 92, said business has been steady since the store opened on May 15.
Based on last year's pandemic sales, the owner of Boom 92 said she anticipated a possible fireworks shortage in 2021. She stocked up ahead of time to avoid empty shelves.
"The owner, she started ordering about six months before than what she usually does, because she foresaw (from) last year that we had to refill our store, because we were almost completely empty," Weltzien said.
The owner told NBC26 sales from May are up nearly five times from the same time last year.
"With the news coming out about a fireworks shortage people are starting to shop early," Weltzien said.
Employees at both Decker's Uncle Sam Fireworks and Boom 92 continue getting ready as the busiest days of the season approach.
In the city of Green Bay, people are allowed to light sparklers, snakes, spark fountains and smoke bombs. According to the city's website, if a firework leaves the ground and goes "boom," it's not allowed without a permit. That includes bottle rockets, mortars and firecrackers.
