The father of fireworks in Youngstown
An almost universal love of fireworks to celebrate America's birthday lit the fuse to a dynamite idea for a Youngstown native. Bruce Zoldan of Phantom Fireworks didn't originally think his sideline business would skyrocket into the nation's largest retailer.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - An almost universal love of fireworks to celebrate America's birthday lit the fuse to a dynamite idea for a Youngstown native.
Bruce Zoldan of Phantom Fireworks didn't originally think his sideline business would skyrocket into the nation's largest retailer.
A Fourth of July tradition, mainly set off by Italian immigrants in New Castle, sparked the American dream in a Youngstown teen.
"I wish my father was able to see this and mother and father because he saw it grow to a great level but not to this magnitude," said Bruce Zoldan, CEO and President of the B.J. Alan Company/ Phantom Fireworks.
Now a self made multi-millionaire, Bruce Zoldan has built the largest retailer of consumer fireworks in the country- the BJ Alan Company. The name stands for the three brothers- Bruce, Jeff and Alan.
The former Delphi Packard plant in Warren has been transformed into their largest warehouse to supply 80 stores and 1500 stands plus chains like Giant Eagle.
It's a far cry from when Zoldan started selling fireworks out of the trunk of his mother's Chevy Impala.
"I even had some comments from the Jewish community. What's a nice Jewish boy like you doing in the fireworks business. They wanted me to be a doctor, a lawyer, etc. I said I really like the business."
Born the eldest of five children, Zoldan grew up in a somewhat poor family on the south side of Youngstown.
When he was a teenager in the mid 60s, his salesman father brought home $50 dollars worth of illegal fireworks but they were so popular with his friends that they lit the fuse to a booming business.
"I actually sold the fireworks my dad brought home and I said can we go buy some more."
Sales took off to grocery stores in the 70s when sparklers became legal in Pennsylvania and skyrocketed to more than $100 million dollars a year today.
As the company continues to expand, Zoldan plans to bid on the old Cafaro headquarters at the end of July. He foresees himself staying involved in the company as long as he can.
"I'm hoping that someday I'll be able to pass the torch on to the younger generation to take over the business."
His sons Alex and Ron are already involved in the company.
Even after all of the success, Zoldan's favorite part remains the same- personally helping customers celebrate America's birthday.
