Without enormous warehouses, drunk customers and illegal explosives, Shelton employees would be bored out of their minds.
The Shelton Fireworks retail store at Exit 70 off Interstate 85 sells consumer-grade fireworks year-round. And because sales peak in the summer, Shelton employees are left with the task of finding ways to occupy their time the rest of the year.
Seth Snedigar, manager at Shelton, said the demand for fireworks increases dramatically in the several days preceding big holidays and then drops off.
"Our busiest seasons are the Fourth of July and New Year's," Snedigar said. "But in the off-season, it gets pretty boring."
Snedigar said the design and size of the 34,000-square-foot warehouse attracts travelers from the interstate. The customers they see during the off-season are rarely locals.
"In Georgia, fireworks can't go over eight feet," said employee Colin Langley. "These do. We get a lot of people coming over the state line to buy them. That's why it's built close to Atlanta."
During his six years working at Shelton, Langley said he's encountered his fair share of interesting customers.
He also said most of the craziest customers are also the most drunk.
"People get drunk and then decide they want fireworks," Langley said. "We have people come in here with cigars hanging out of their mouths. It's scary."
Employee Will Hester said the warehouse sees little traffic during the off-season.
"Today I'm working 12 to 8, and we might only get two people," Hester said. "There are days that no one comes in."
Langley said off-season shifts consist of taking inventory, restocking supplies and cleaning, but the employees find other ways to stay entertained during the slow months.
"We've blown a bunch of stuff up," Langley said. "When we get something new in, we might go set it off. Most times we just go out to the edge of the parking lot."
Even through long periods of monotony, Snedigar said the downtime gives him a chance to do what he loves.
"The off-seasons let me spend more time with my family," he said. "That's my favorite thing about the job."
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