Mays Brothers has new indoor location

MINER -- Bigger and better.

That s how Alfred May, co-owner of May Brothers ' Fireworks, described the business new indoor location in Miner. It also serves as headquarters for the other stores he and his brother, Louis " May, manage in other states.

A lot of it has " got to do with our " customer base, said Alfred May. It gives our local customers a good place to shop, in an air-conditioned location. Now, they " can be comfortable when they shop.

The May brothers ' newest location is in the old Lambert " s Cafe building, 2515 E. Malone. We totally remodeled the building and " put in new airconditioning units, said May.

May again stressed those changes are just to make the -- experience better for the customers especially when it comes " to the air conditioning.

I know there are some folks that have shopped " elsewhere " just for that reason, he ' said. And it can be hot when you re outside for an hour picking things out."

He also noted that the new location will be open year-round. Hours are 9 a.m. to midnight, and may change during " the offseason, said May. '

A lot of people have said they re glad about that, because now " they can spend " ' their money locally, said May. We ve " had some really positive responses.

Several customers have commented that now they're considering purchas ' - ing fireworks for New Year s -- Eve, May said. In southern -- locations ' especially Louisiana New Year s is " almost as big of a deal as July 4. And we want to make it an even bigger thing here," said May.

But in the couple of weeks surrounding the Fourth, the May brothers will still have a tent in the " Piggly ' Wiggly parking lot.

That s our home location and where we've been for over 30 years," said May. "There are a lot of people who enjoy coming out to the tent and this " way we can give them both.

Both locations have fully trained staff, able to help customers find what they are looking for and what sorts of merchandise best suits their wants and needs, May added.

The indoor location allows "more " room for everybody to shop, said May. While the same merchandise will be offered, more stock will be available " in ' the building, he said.

We ve got a lot more room now where we " can put more inventory out, May continued. "And we've been able to build all kinds of bins and shelves."

The new location ' not only reflects customers needs locally, but also the growth of the business into something that stretches outside of southeast Missouri.

"It's the hub for all operations that we now have from coast to coast," said May. ' "That's something where we ve just really branched out in the last several years." '

But it s the customers around the area who have given the business its backbone and kept it a part of the community since it first opened in 1969.

It's a business the brothers enjoy " and ' are glad to see expand. -- It s just an upbeat time of year everyone is celebrating ' and having a good time. It s dif " - ferent from " the everyday grind, May said. And ' I get to see a lot of people I don " t see any other time of the year ' .

May said it s something " ' he wants to keep going. We re carrying on the tradition of providing " wholesale fireworks to all, he said.

And will all the locations, they can -- negotiate even lower prices which, in the end, gives people more bang for their buck.