North Carolina Shoppers Go South for More Power in Their Fireworks

"It's keeping with tradition," Mr. [Rob Johnston] said. North Carolina law prohibits consumers from having explosives or aerial fireworks, Roman candles, rockets or similar devices. Wilmington-area stores reflect the law. A Food Lion in Wilmington has mostly tamer fireworks, smoke bom...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inKnight Ridder Tribune Business News p. 1
Main Author Ives, Millard K
Format Newsletter
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington Tribune Content Agency LLC 03.07.2003
Subjects
Independence Day
State laws
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Summary:"It's keeping with tradition," Mr. [Rob Johnston] said. North Carolina law prohibits consumers from having explosives or aerial fireworks, Roman candles, rockets or similar devices. Wilmington-area stores reflect the law. A Food Lion in Wilmington has mostly tamer fireworks, smoke bombs, a Glittering Fountain and rockets with labels that read "showers of sparks." "We will try to make the least noise possible," Mr. Johnston said. North Carolina residents also flock across the state line to purchase lottery tickets, which also are illegal to possess in North Carolina. Alex Willard, whose family owns Willard's Fireworks, said with the store being so close to North Carolina, business is good. She added they get customers from all over North Carolina. For those who'd rather leave fireworks to the professionals, the Battleship North Carolina and Southport will conduct fireworks displays Friday. Licensed operators in North Carolina have more latitude in shooting powerful fireworks.