Prices up, selections limited at some Louisville area fireworks stands
Inflation and supply chain issues have driven up prices, but many vendors are trying to absorb the cost so customers can celebrate the Fourth of July.
Inflation and supply chain issues have driven up prices, but many vendors are trying to absorb the cost so customers can celebrate the Fourth of July.
Inflation and supply chain issues have driven up prices, but many vendors are trying to absorb the cost so customers can celebrate the Fourth of July.
Turns out this year, it will cost a little more to celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang.
Casey Clark runs Four Fingers Fireworks in the parking lot of the old Vendor City Mall in Mt. Washington. He says he was shocked when he learned just how much more he'd have to pay to stock his tent this year.
"We didn't really increase prices the last five years and this is first year we have had to increase the pricing, just to make sure we at least break even," Clark said.
But he's doing what he can not to pass it all on to customers. So, too, is Zach Hoben with Wild West Fireworks, next to Cattleman's in Shepherdsville. He said shipping of a single container has gone up $20,000.
Still, he's working to keep prices low and customers coming back.
"Some of them, with the cost of everything going up they've scaled their budget back and coming out here, we really have been able to still get them the show they want to shoot for their family," Hoben said.
In addition to higher prices at some tents, another thing customers will also notice is the selection. A lot of vendors just aren't getting what they ordered months ago.
"We're a little short on artilleries — the tube where you put the ball or the shell in there and light it and has a nice big boom. Not as many of those this year," Jeremy Baker said.
Still, Baker, who runs the text on Highway 245, near Cox's Creek says sales have been good. Plenty of buyers are not willing to budget their fun.
"It's once a year, I'm going to spend the money, I'm going to have a party. I'm going to have friends over, it's my birthday, we're going to celebrate in style," customer Bobby Vormbrock said.
And Casey Clark knows, "We might not make as much money as we did in years past."
He said he's OK absorbing some of the cost to keep the celebrations going and his customers coming back.
Because some vendors are having trouble getting stock, shoppers are encouraged to shop ahead of July Fourth.