ALAMO — Customers gazed at the large selection of fireworks lining the perimeter of Big G’s Fireworks, the large warehouse off of Expressway 83 near the Alamo Flea Market.
A small group of people gathered near some wall-mounted televisions showing YouTube videos about the fireworks they were about to purchase.
With names like Baby Boomer, Party On America, The Big Dog, Howitzer, and many, many more, workers actively worked to restock the more popular names, carrying boxes to the quickly emptying shelves.
The smell of gunpowder and cardboard permeated through the building as customers pushed shopping carts filled with everything from artillery shells to rockets to the popular Black Cat firecrackers. At least one group of customers used a wooden pallet to stack up a nearly 4-foot mountain of fireworks.
Rodrigo Sanchez, of Alamo, said that he’s been buying and popping fireworks for his entire life. And, like many, plans to celebrate with his family when the new year rolls in at midnight Saturday.
“This one is a little bit newer,” he said, motioning to a large red box inside his shopping cart. “I’ve always just gotten smaller ones.”
He said that he spent a little over $300 on his haul of fireworks.
Nadine Gonzalez is the manager at the Alamo Big G’s Fireworks location, which has been open since 2016. She said that business has picked up following the recent cold fronts, but overall her store is still trying to recover from the economic loss as a result of the pandemic.
“We were definitely affected by the pandemic,” she said. “Not only did the prices of fireworks go up because of the shortages of fireworks in general, but the price of shipping played a big impact on the prices. Also the recent cold front played a big impact on us too.”
“Hopefully, with the new year bringing warmer weather, it will bring out the people and they can celebrate the new year safely and together as a family,” she added.
Gonzalez said that the state only allows fireworks to be sold between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1.
“The sales are picking up a little bit, so that’s a good sign,” she said. “What really hurt us was the cold front. That cold spell actually put a little damper on our sales. As the days go by we should see, hopefully, an increase, and people should be coming out and purchasing their fireworks.
“I just hope that everyone is safe and has a Happy New Year,” she continued. “Come shop early. Don’t wait ‘til the last minute.”
Dominique Montelongo, of Weslaco, pushed her shopping cart filled with fireworks to her vehicle where her father waited.
When asked how much she spent on the fireworks, she said, “Way too much.”
“We love New Year’s, and popping fireworks is just a part of New Year’s,” Montelongo said. “You look up and you look at beautiful things. You look to the side and your family’s there. It’s just a very family (oriented) holiday, and I love it.”
