‘Booming' construction continues in Westfall area

MATAMORAS - Commercial growth is “exploding” all over the place in Pike County — and much of it in Westfall involves fireworks. Fireworks stores are making a significant appearance along U.S. Route 6/209 corridor between Milford and Matamoras. There are many places selling fireworks, from gasoline stations to small retail stores and a few large retail establishments as well. Keystone Fireworks in Matamoras, part of the chain, opened in late spring of 2006. The immediate response was a lot of business. During the month before the July Fourth celebration, the Keystone parking lot was always full and the store was busy. But on a recent visit the only person in the store was the manager. The store is about 5,000 or 6,000 square feet and the aisles are lined with colorful displays of fireworks. The manger declined an interview, directing questions to the Keystone main office. Just down the road about one third of a mile, next to Price Chopper, another fireworks store is in the early stages of construction. This even larger store is part of the Phantom Fireworks chain. Job superintendent Keith Paquin of Fortney & Waygandt from North Olmsted, Ohio, was in charge of the crew of six or seven construction workers busy erecting the all steel structure. “This building will be 12,000 square feet when it opens in May 2007. They are going to have six checkouts to handle the sales,” said Paquin. Fireworks stores have a large clientele of people who come from both New York and New Jersey where fireworks sales and use are prohibited or severely restricted. Those from out of state are allowed to purchase fireworks that are “loud and noisy” which is the reason the border stores in Matamoras stores were built. Customers who show out-of-state residence are permitted to purchase fireworks such as firecrackers, aerial explosives and other “dangerous” products, while purchase of these products is prohibited to Pennsylvania residents. During the Independence Day season, outdoor tents sell Pennsylvanians a more limited number of fireworks products. “This 3½-acre building project will be close to $5 million dollars when completed. The building permits alone were $1.25 million dollars,” said Paquin. “I’ve been told they expect sales to be in the neighborhood of $4 million dollars annually.” Paquin also said he heard that a fireworks manufacturing facility was going to be built on the other side of the highway, opposite this construction site. On the quieter side of development is the beginning construction of a Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant in front Lowe’s Home Improvement store. It is in the early stages of development while the property is being surveyed. Job superintendent Mike Sroga said the store is expected to open in late spring or mid-summer. Sroga works for Latona Builders of Pittston, Pa., which has built many of the commercial stores along 209/6. “We recently built the Keystone Fireworks store down the road and are also constructing the new Rivers Edge Adult Community which will be geared for those 55 and older,” Sroga said. Asked how the company gets so much work in the area,” Sroga replied. “I guess the ‘numbers’ are right.” According to recent federal statistics, Pike County is among the fastest growing counties in the entire country.