They’re named Fireworks Nation, but in our Fireworks loving State, and the one nextdoor, they just may be the biggest such business, stateside.
They go boom, not bust, but sometimes less is more. Much more as the fantastic volume of inventory, (often themed on fantasy in its design), starts here, on the very edge of Minnesconsin, with Fireworks Nation. All for a definitively discounted lesser cost. So don’t be too vacuous, head for just over the state line, then jog a little north, for less gas cost than a single sparkler, although they can sell in bulk.
You can’t forego The Fourth, so blow off some steam while blowing up stuff, and visit here also well after The Fourth of July ebbs, as the show can keep rolling. But after all, it’s difficult to summon much indifferent independence from Independence Day celebrations, so give in to the bid to buy. (There’s little metaphorical bridge to work with here, although there is a big span to cross to go over the river and get to your savings.)
Fireworks Nation, near the border of North Hudson with fields-of-open-expanses townships, bills itself as having “the largest selection on the border,” to go boom in the late day or night, and that fine line is with Wisconsin and Minnesota, not a handful of municipalities just within the Badger State that simply have a relatively few plinky pieces they pump as their perks. Fireworks Nation has become the biggest retailer of its type in Wisconsin, with several stores including their flagship one in Lomira, and ambitions to move their operations into other states. Minnesota is unlikely because of its odd laws, but what of those others closeby, like Iowa or Illinois, as the eyes have it, say I of their colorful creations.
Many fireworks stores for decades have popped up here and there in St. Croix County, in far flunge places, and stay and go, but there are reasons The Nation says they are its superstars, and with longevity and length of aisles rank as the superstore in this region.
So bring it on and they will come — for many killer things that currently are sold for 60 percent off, and more such deals on this place that if it blows up, or alights brightly, or glows, or spins, or whistles, they have it here. The much better than usual, in itself an overused term, of being half-off is bested bigtime, percentage-wise.
This haven of heaven for fireworks buffs is a mere three miles into Wisconsin, closer to the border than almost any of the smaller stores that are here and there as you travel east. You simply need, after taking the first exit, to go due north in a straight shot, rather than like a whirling and spinning dervish of a spark-spitting firework, traversing the still smallish Hudson and take a bridge into and through most of North Hudson and bingo, there it is on the east side, right by Kwik Trip, (both Wisconsin staples.) Parking lot entry is easy and parking is more ample and a small stone’s throw from the door, and this big building — packed with merchandise all through it — that formerly was a literal bricks-and-mortar bank, a few years ago, is fully wheelchair accessible — spelled out in five different offerings of aid on their website. Unlike many warehouse-style stores, there’s has an attractive and decorative brick decore (shown in above photo) that has as many design features as its fireworks. There even is free Wifi!
Online maps show as points of reference local landmarks such as iconic convenience stores and also a such nightclub or two, if you want to light it up in a different way before going to make a purchase with a bang. There is even reference made to the softball and baseball fields further to its right, hallmarks of the Hudson Booster Club that has their decades-long major festival running concurrently with the Fourth of July and the following weekend, and offering a fireworks display too.
But back to a primo primer. In numerous long and wide aisles with even a concourse that is packed with product, and twists and turns in their directions for expedience sake like a good mystery/artillery-launcher, inside it looks more like a full-out grocery store than some mom and pop shop/stand. You will find specials in a local flyer mailing of as low as $11.99 (regular $29.99 BOGO) for either a “never ending fountain” or six boxes of three-count artillery shells — now that is more potent than your typical six-pack. Prices often go down even further if you buy more than one. You also will find shelves of exploding cakes and Roman candles — these being right now on flyer-based special — and more items such as rockets, and sparklers for the kiddies and you grownups with a little kid still in you. Assortment packs that include parachutes and spark-spinning wheels have upwards of 24 items and there are package deals.
For the first specified set, of nine specials, you must display the coupons in the Hudson-area SaveOn flyer delivered in the mail, or scan its code for more offers, but there are also other deals to be had, BOGO or near, and some can be downloaded from the company’s website. With volume like this comes customer savings. And $1.99 for 10-count sets of sparklers.
You gotta love the art decor on the packagings, resembling those on a killer craft beer. The Baby Dino 500 gram finale looks much more metaphorically massive than a juvenile Jurassic Park creature, and anything but small, right down to the dinosaur caricature on its cardboard casing. The Happy Clown Bomb art reminds me of the band Insane Clown Posse. The price is cool too, about $40 to buy both, so it is also red-hot.
As the item to blow up gets bigger, some of the prices go up, but for the value gained, the savings become even greater. Just look for the big sign, larger than a baby dino and higher than a Brontosaurus raised head. Add mine and mine-sweep-themed devices and you have a loud party that could chase away a T-Rex.
The address of the store, one of several by the company in the state, is 880 Sixth St. N, in North Hudson. The phone is (715) 808-8687. Also, see FireworksNation.com, for more information and deals and current hours, open as early as 9 a.m. and continuing into the evening. The longest-termed-ones run through July 7, the end of the big holiday weekend, like their coupons, but they also operate the store for months ahead, and the place always seems to be hopping with activity.