Fireworks vendor ready for business

Photo: Kayla Collins

FIRECRACKER — Andre Vandenbulcke is the designer and owner of AAH® Fireworks brand which operates four locations in San Antonio, TX and now out of the old Penley Mill location in West Paris.

WEST PARIS — Fireworks vendor and wholesaler, AAH® Fireworks, will open with a bang on Friday, June 22, says owner and designer Andre Vandenbulcke, who operates four other locations in San Antonio, TX.

"It's like when you're watching fireworks – ooh, aah!" said Vandenbulcke, when asked where the brand got its name.

Vandenbulcke plans to operate his warehouse out of the old Penley Mill located on Penley Ave., which will be his base location. From there, he will distribute to retailers out-of-state.

And, for the first time, he will be selling his fireworks right at his 2,200-square-foot retail location, beginning next weekend. He said he plans to have one to two year-round employees and eight seasonal employees working in the office, in sales, packaging and assortment, as well as loading and unloading product from the trucks.

He said that he plans on demolishing the old green buildings on the property on August 16. The 800-square-foot warehouse, which will have an additional 17,000-square feet, will be stocked with inventory by the end of September, he said.

AAH® Fireworks brand was introduced to the U.S. market in 2007. Every year, Vandenbulcke said he sees about a 30-percent increase in sales.

While AAH® manufactures its products in China, it's an importer and wholesaler for the U.S. market.

According to Vandenbulcke, just shy of 18,000 cases of fireworks – or 16, 40-foot containers from China – were imported to the West Paris location alone.

Vandenbulcke said that he chose West Paris simply for the location, storage space and support he receives from his girlfriend's family that lives in the Bethel area.

Havoc Fireworks, located on Route 26 in South Paris, also carries some of his products, he said, along with 18 or more retailers throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and of course, New Hampshire.

Some of his brand includes 200- and 500-gram aerial cakes, ground spinners, fountains and cones, Roman candles, crackers and snappers, rockets and missiles and more.

"There are so many different types," said Vandenbulcke –  including firecrackers, which he said are illegal in New Hampshire, but not here in Maine. "Firecrackers are going to be a big one," he said.

He said that the 500-gram aerial cakes are usually a good seller, too.

"Consumer fireworks, in general, have shown such an increase throughout the years because the technology has evolved," he said. Not to mention that people, especially this time of year, are having parties; "which is definitely good for my business," he said.

He said because of the poor economy, "people aren't going on vacation. They are going to a barbecue and they are going to bring fireworks."

According to Vandenbulcke, what first sparked his interest in the business was his job at a NH fireworks store at the age of 14. "I was a little firecracker, myself," he said. "I liked risk-taking."

The store will be open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., says Vandenbulcke, but hours are expected to change after July 4. Please visit www.aahfireworks.com for more information.

Photo: Kayla Collins

FIREWORKS FOR SALE! — The brand new AAH® Fireworks store located at the old Penley Mill on Penley Ave in West Paris.