WOODVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — J.R. Hodges has been selling fireworks for the Fourth of July for over 50 years.
What started with a borrowed truck from his brother and $300 worth of fireworks bought with credit has turned into a lifetime business for Hodges. His partner in crime, Janice, joined him in selling fireworks after they were married. The rest is history.
Now, the fireworks stand located at 10113 Highway 72 in Woodville has become a yearly tradition for many customers.
“We have a lot of people older than you are that come in that say they remember their parents brought them as little kids,” Hodges said.
“They sound like good people, you know, good prices here,” customer Reese Carden said. “Just a very comforting place.”
The wide selection and good prices are why many customers said they come out. But the down-to-earth customer service is what keeps them coming.
“I live in the area and I’ve been to a lot of different places and this is always the best price. They’re friendly, they’re great, and like I said before the cookouts, before the fireworks tonight, this is the place to be,” longtime customer Barbara Moore said. “They just treat people so wonderfully and they are ready to celebrate America and our freedoms.”
After selling fireworks in the area for over 50 years, the Hodges have seen a thing or two. Their favorite part of the gig is how their customers have become like family to them.
“It’s great! I mean, they come in, they tell us they’ve been coming for years, some of them you recognize because you’ve seen them a lot,” Janice Hodges said. “Some you don’t recognize as much, we have a lot of people come in.”
Despite so many years of selling fireworks, J.R. said he has no intention of slowing down.
“As long as I live, she’ll take over when I’m gone. I always tell her if I die in fireworks season, don’t close the fireworks stand, just put me on ice out back,” Hodges said. “Get that firecracker money, you can bury me later.”
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