Phantom Fireworks gets OK to open year-round store in Ross Township
Celebrations in the Pittsburgh area are likely to get a lot louder and brighter starting around Memorial Day.
Ross commissioners recently approved an application for Youngstown, Ohio-based Phantom Fireworks to open a permanent outlet to sell the kind of fireworks that used to be illegal — Roman candles, cherry bombs, firecrackers and a dazzling variety of rockets and missiles with names such as “Out with a Bang,” “Sizzlin' Skyburst,” “Cosmic Carnival” and “Mineshell Mayhem.”
State lawmakers last year legalized the sale of ground and aerial fireworks to help raise more money for its coffers.
Before the change that took affect Oct. 30, Pennsylvanians could only legally buy so-called “safe and sane” fireworks such as fountains, sparklers and spinners.
The state placed a new 12 percent tax on consumer fireworks on top of the sales and other taxes already levied.
Officials estimate the change will generate $2.6 million this fiscal year and $9.3 million next year.
Prior to approving Phantom's application, the board voted to amended its fireworks ordinance to incorporate provisions of the state law that allow fireworks to be sold in the state.
Phantom Fireworks is hoping to open a year-round location in the building currently occupied by TJ Buffet Sushi and Grill, which is adjacent to the Best Buy store in North Hills Village Mall .
While much of Phantom's business is done during its “busy season” — Memorial Day to Fourth of July — using fireworks year round is expected to grow in Pennsylvania now that residents don't have to break the law by smuggling them into the state.
“People are using fireworks for all sorts of celebrations,” said Bill Weimer, Phantom's vice president and general counsel. “People are buying pink and blue fireworks for gender reveal parties, using fireworks displays to mark the start and end of summer, for weddings, and of course the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve.”
Weimer said the company is hoping to open before Memorial Day weekend, but if there isn't enough time to convert the building from a restaurant to a retail outlet, they will seek a temporary storefront in the township or even use one of the ubiquitous tents they set up in strip mall parking lots.
In addition to Ross, Phantom is scouting locations in Pittsburgh's eastern and southern suburbs for fireworks outlets that will be open year round.
Tony LaRussa is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-772-6368 or tlarussa@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TonyLaRussaTrib.
