YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — America’s birthday is traditionally celebrated with large firework displays and gatherings in cities across the country—many of which have been canceled this year due to COVID-19. But that actually turned out to be good news for one Ohio-grown fireworks company.

What You Need To Know


  • Phantom Fireworks' sales are up 100 percent this year

  • The CEO expects to be sold out by July 4—something that has never happened before

  • You can legally purchase fireworks in Ohio, but you can't set them off within the state

While many businesses are hurting due to coronavirus closures, the consumer fireworks industry is, well, booming.

“We're almost like the Purell, the Lysol, the Clorox, the toilet paper of the beginning of COVID. Fireworks are now the hot item of summer,” said Phantom Fireworks CEO Bruce Zoldan.

Zoldan said sales for the company are up 100 percent this year—that’s a surprise he compares to an unexpected lottery ticket win.

Fireworks are flying off the shelves at unprecedented levels, to the point Zoldan said, “We’ll be sold out by July 4th."

Zoldan created the now-national consumer-based fireworks retailer in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio about 50 years ago.

“The Mahoning Valley, Youngstown, Ohio has certainly given our company the ability to grow and be a national company," Zoldan said. "Losing the steel industry, way back when and being somewhat of a depressed community back in the 80s, and we have made a strong comeback.”

Zoldan said they’re outgrowing their 1.2 million square-foot main distribution center in Warren.

There are 80 brick and mortar showrooms across the country and about 1,500 seasonal stands in tents. The popular brand also can be found in places like grocery stores and gas stations.

“Lighting up backyards of America, from Coast to Coast!” is the motto, and it’s an interesting one for this Ohio-based company.

“You can buy fireworks in Ohio. You can use them in every state surrounding Ohio. But, legally, you can't use them in Ohio. So, are there people that do? Yes, most definitely,” said Zoldan.

At least one customer at the Youngstown showroom wasn’t aware it’s illegal to light off fireworks in Ohio.

“No, I was told it was OK to get a couple fireworks to light off in the backyard,” said customer Danielle Bondy of Youngstown.

Janie Pappa of Girard said she knows the rules, but thinks most people break them.

“I think that is kind of silly because I think it would be regulated a little better if they would make it legal,” she said.

Right now in the buckeye state, two bills aimed at loosening firework restrictions are moving through the statehouse.

“I think it would be great for the state of Ohio as it is for many other states in surrounding Ohio. Pennsylvania legalized it a few years ago. No state has ever reversed itself once it's legalized fireworks,” said Zoldan.

This Independence Day will be one to remember as it is yet another holiday amid the pandemic.