BOOM: FIREWORKS RETAILERS SET TO OPEN

A dozen new retail businesses, each with just a 16-day lifespan, are expected to open in Cape Girardeau Thursday.

Fireworks stands will open at 8 a.m. Thursday and continue sales through July 4.

"We had issued only three permits through Tuesday noon," said Regina Pearson of the city finance office. "But several people have picked up applications, and we expect to hear from them today."

Another half-dozen fireworks businesses will open in the area in the near future.

The fireworks selling dates at Jackson are July 1-7, and at Scott City they are June 26 to July 4.

Although the selling times statewide are June 20-July 10 and Dec. 20-Jan. 2, municipalities can set their own dates within those allowed by the state, said Harold D. Kuehle, Cape Girardeau County collector.

"Some cities allow only one day July 4 for sales and setting off fireworks," said Kuehle. "Some have a complete ban on fireworks."

Only Class C fireworks are available here. That includes small firecrackers, sparklers, fountains, and bottle rockets.

Owners of area fireworks stands may notice an increase in sales this year.

During dry-weather years, fire officials often discourage the use of fireworks due to fire hazards. Sales decreased those years.

"We're not overly concerned at this point this year," said Gene Hindman, Cape Girardeau fire chief. "That situation, however, could change as we get closer to July 4."

Business hours for the Cape Girardeau fireworks operations are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"Those are also the hours that fireworks may be set off," said Pearson. "These rules apply until July 4, when people can set off fireworks until midnight on that holiday."

Cape Girardeau Fire Marshal Tom Hinkebein has issued some safety requirements for both sellers and users of fireworks.

Vendors cannot sell fireworks within 100 feet of any gasoline station or storage site, and each stand must be 25 feet away from any brick building and 50 feet away from any building not of masonry construction.

Users are reminded that fireworks should not be discharged within 75 feet of any retail sales location or within 300 feet of any church, hospital, or school building.

In Scott City, residents can discharged fireworks only during the hours of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. until July 4, when the hours are extended from 8 a.m. to midnight.

"Fireworks stands at Scott City can sell fireworks from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day from June 25 to July 14," said a city hall spokesman.

Jackson limits its fireworks operators to seven days, July 1-7, with selling hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fireworks stand operators are reminded that city, county and state license are required before opening. "Every fireworks vendor must have a county and state license," said Kuehle.

County licenses, at a cost of $5, are available at the county collector's office in the County Administration Building at Jackson and in the Common Pleas Courthouse annex building, 44 N. Lorimier in Cape Girardeau, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"Persons operating inside city limits must also purchase the city license," said Kuehle.

Cape Girardeau licenses cost $10, and the Jackson license $25.

Permits must also be acquired from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety in Jefferson City at a cost of $25 per location. Vendors must have a certificate of no-tax-due from the Department of Revenue before the Missouri Division of Fire Safety will issue a permit.