Des Moines Register
James Kaczinski s interest in fireworks ignited when he first learned how to shoot them off at about the age of 10. More than 20 years later, he now owns and operates 10 Freedom Fireworks tents around central Iowa amid an era of exploding growth for the industry.
Kaczinski said he started selling consumer-grade fireworks in Iowa with only three locations in 2018, which was the first Fourth of July season consumer fireworks sales were legal in Iowa. Since then, his business has grown to 10 tents in Dallas Center, Adel, Norwalk, Carlisle, Newton, Stuart, Perry, Boone and two in Indianola.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaczinski, who lives in Earlham, said sales and demand for his products skyrocketed. He attributed the growth to the cancellation of professional displays and celebrations in communities across the state last summer.