LOGANSPORT — After starting out with a set of sawhorses and a piece of plywood, Ulery’s Fireworks has come a long way.

The family-owned and operated business is celebrating its 30th year in operation this season. The store is still owned by Vi Ulery, who started the business with her husband, Harold. Even though Harold passed away 10 years ago, the family has continued with the long-lived tradition.

“It’s in our blood,” smiled Greg Ulery.

Greg, one of Vi and Harold’s sons, remembers his father stopping to purchase fireworks while traveling on family trips to Florida each year.

“As long as I can remember, he always enjoyed setting off and selling fireworks,” Greg said.

The business has become well-known in Logansport. The Ulerys purchased its main building on Third Street around 20 years ago, Greg said.

Employee Justin Herrold believes the family has enjoyed running the business.

“It’s something they can do to give back to the community,” he said. “The items are reasonably priced and we stand behind our products.”

Sonja Hostetler opened her year-round, out-of-state fireworks store in the front section of Discount Tobacco with the help of her brother, Andy Zelinsky.

Zelinsky, who’s been working in the fireworks industry for seven years, said the store was a perfect location for a year-round business, because the space wasn’t being utilized.

“We want to attract new customers, who may not have otherwise stopped in,” he said of the East Broadway location.

By remaining open during the year, Zelinsky feels the business can build a trust with local customers.

Christa Sommers, an employee at Out Of This World Fireworks on West Market, said the business has returned to Logansport for its second year. Owners Connie and Connie Flick have several other locations including Monticello and Lafayette.

Sommers said 2009 was very successful.

“We had a really good response at this location, which allowed us to return here,” she said.

The store opened the first of June and will remain until at least July 4. Sommers said it may remain longer, depending on how sales go and how much inventory is left.

With 20 other locations in the state, Mark’s Fireworks is making its initial appearance in Logansport this year.

According to Jake Weinstein, who is in charge of the local location, felt the east side of Logansport needed a fireworks store, since the only other one is Ulery’s Fireworks.

“You can never have too many fireworks,” he added.

The store will remain open anywhere between four to five days after the Fourth.

“That’s when people will be out looking for deals,” he said.

From past experience, Zelinsky said customer also usually purchase fireworks for graduation parties, weddings, Memorial and Labor days and the New Year celebration.

“About 80 percent of our sales come within 10 days of the Fourth of July,” he said.

Sommers and Herrold both said business has picked up, especially this past weekend.

“It’s been pretty typical,” Herrold said. “People have been in and out to check prices and compare to other stores. Some buy a little each week. Most of our business will be on July 3 or July 4.”

Most of the businesses carry the same types of fireworks, but each one has something special or a different type or size.

Sommers said Out Of This World Fireworks has been receiving new items weekly.

Some of the items at the stores include big and little cakes, canister shells, smaller items for children, variety packs for children and adults, bottle rockets, fountains, sparklers, and smoke bombs.

Zelinsky believes there number of stores has increased locally because of state law.

“The state only allows so much stock in a store,” he said. “It’s rated by the amount of powder. You might see more stores because of that limit.”

According to Greg Ulery, the Third Street location of Ulery’s Fireworks has been grandfathered in and therefore is not restricted to an amount of powder. The newer location on Market, however, is limited by that restriction.

None of the businesses seem to mind the extra competition.

“I think there’s enough in town to go around for everyone,” said Zelinsky.

He added when ordering fireworks, he wanted to carry different items than others in town. He also likes to choose a variety of fireworks and orders from six different wholesalers.

Since some of the wholesalers are shipping out a little late this year, Zelinsky said the store started about two weeks later than he would have liked.

Weinstein believes Mark’s Fireworks stays competitive because of the quality of the products offered and the product knowledge.

According to Sommers, Out Of This World attracts customers for one main reason.

“I think we are able to stay competitive with the other stores because of our selection,” she said.

Competition is a good thing, Herrold noted.

“It’s nice to have some variety,” he said.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be

reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com

Looking to buy fireworks?

• Ulery’s Fireworks

Address: 4000 E. Market St.

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday-June 30; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1; and 9 a.m. to midnight July 2-July 4.

• Ulery’s Fireworks

Address: 1030 N. Third St.

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday-June 30; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1; and 8 a.m. to midnight July 2-July 4.

• Discount Tobacco and Fireworks

Address: 430 E. Broadway

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Extended hours will be posted to the door.

• Out Of This World Fireworks

Address: 317 W. Market St.

Hours: Change weekly. Hours are posted on yellow sign out front of business.

• Mark’s Fireworks

Address: 2525 E. Market St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday until June 24; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 24 to July 1; 8 a.m. until midnight July 2-July 4.