News 12 This Morning, June 30, 2009

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. --- Business is about to boom at Tacky Tony's Fireworks in North Augusta, and A.D. Brown has high hopes for the Fourth.

"I was kind of surprised that we've sold as many as we have because of the depression everybody's in," A.D. Brown said.

A.D. has been selling fireworks for 40 years and says sales aren't like they were in years past. A.D. says the price of fireworks has jumped 10-20%. So he had to raise his prices too. A.D. says one of his fireworks kits cost $150 last year. Now it's $175.

Over the weekend, Tacky Tony's had about 10 customers a day. But they're expecting those numbers to shoot up. A.D. says he's selling a lot of these cakes to people that are planning their own fireworks show.

"I try to buy to where I can run out, and they want to buy so they'll have it. They know it, and they've been coming to me for years," Brown said.

We're just days away from the Fourth of July and more stands are firing up across town. Like this one on Robert C. Daniel Parkway in Augusta. And taking a drive down Martintown Road in North Augusta, you'll find plenty of shops to load up on the fun.

"I'm hoping people will start coming this week, so we won't be slammed pack on the third and fourth," Stephany Skinner said.

She says they're encouraging their customers to buy a variety package instead of lots of individual fireworks. Why? Stephany says it's all about saving money, $20-50 in this case. Skinner says it's all about helping the customer celebrate July 4th, even if they're cutting back.