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Fireworks Stores Opening in East Ridge

403 views · Published 21 June 2012 · 2:28 · Indexed 29 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by Kevin SimsIn just a few weeks, we'll all fire off sparklers and celebrate the 4th of July.But in East Ridge, city leaders are looking forward to the holiday for another reason.  New income.From fast food to fuel, now you can add fireworks to the East Ridge exit one off Interstate 75.  Four different retailers are setting up shop there, hoping to drive even more business off the busy road.And Phantom Fireworks, there is fresh purple paint going up on the outside, and they're getting ready for an equally colorful display inside.  "We'll have 500 gram repeaters, assortments, sparklers, snakes, snaps," says manager Jared Aponte.  This is Phantom Fireworks' first store in Tennessee.  They were lured here by East Ridge's new regulations that had to be approved by the state legislature.  Of course a nearby interstate and a Georgia border didn't hurt.  "We set up the shelving yesterday," says Aponte, "the electricians are going through and doing their stuff."Both the hope, and the question, is whether Phantom and at least three other stores can spark a revitalization for Ringgold Road.  Actually make that the entire city.  It's been a rough go at times.  One that Wally's Restaurant has weathered since 1989.  "It's been up and down but right now, I can say that business is pretty good," says Wally's longtime manager Glen Meadows.  The hot food keeps customers coming back here but new neighbors never hurt,  especially when the alternative was an empty building.  "We are excited about  the fireworks," says Meadows, "the additional amount of traffic that's going to come into our city.""We expect a lot of the other restaurants and other retailers will benefit from it," agrees East Ridge city manager Tim Gobble.  "And so the overall economic impact could be very good."  He guesses it could be somewhere in the six-figure range annually.  City regulations require the stores to stay open year-round and be brick and mortar businesses.  There will be no trucks or tents allowed.  And while bright in color, Gobble believes city codes will keep them from being gawdy.  "It may be a little different for East Ridge," he says, "we can't regulate the color.  We were advised legally we can't do that.  Everything is regulated and I think it's going to be an improvement."Of course the immediate economic impact will be difficult to judge this year.  The stores are prevented from opening until July 1st and that is just three days away from the biggest sales day.  And of course while you will be able to buy fireworks come July 1st, you won't be able to shoot them off in East Ridge.  That is still illegal within city limits.

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