WINSLOW — The enduring appeal of fireworks is easy to pinpoint, according to Tracy Bessey.

“It’s the noise and the beauty,” she said. “It’s a fine combination.”

Bessey was one of about a dozen customers browsing the aisles at the newly opened Pyro City Maine, a consumer fireworks store on China Road. Within 30 minutes of the store’s big debut Friday morning, sales were already brisk.

“We’ve been busy,” employee Scott Boucher said. “We had people waiting in line when the store opened at nine o’clock.”

A grand opening is planned for next weekend, but Pyro City has come alive for Memorial Day weekend. The store’s opening is the culmination of months of planning and legwork, owner Steve Marson said.

On Jan. 1, a law reversing a 40-year ban on consumer fireworks in Maine went into effect. The law allows individual municipalities to regulate the sale, possession and use of fireworks.

In Winslow, fireworks sale was the subject of numerous public hearings and debates before the town cleared the way for it and Marson set up shop.

He said the 4,000-square-foot space is “the largest retail (fireworks) store open in the state.”

It’s also Marson’s third. Pyro City has locations in Edgecomb and Manchester. In the coming weeks, Pyro City stores will open in Ellsworth and Presque Isle.

Marson said Pyro City is a good thing for Winslow. He has invested $500,000 in the retail space, which had been vacant for several years, and he plans to hire a total of six full-time employees.

“These are year-round jobs with vacations, personal days, retirement plans, health insurance,” he said. “They’re good-paying jobs.”

He also asserts Pyro City is a destination business.

“I’m bringing people to Winslow that may never have come to Winslow before,” he said. “Fireworks are what people want, and they’re going to come here to find them,” he said.

Bessey, a resident of Rockland, affirmed Marson’s belief. On Friday, Bessey was traveling to northern Maine for the holiday weekend, and she wanted fireworks. She originally planned to shop at the Manchester store, but when she found out the Winslow store was open she changed course. Bessey said she planned to spend about $150 on fireworks.

Although the store may bring new shoppers to Winslow, town councilor Cathy Nadeau said she’s concerned about the dangers of fireworks. Nadeau was the lone councilor opposed to consumer fireworks in town.

“I wish him well,” Nadeau said of Marson. “I just wish for safety first.”

Nadeau said she belongs to a committee that seeks to limit the use of projectile fireworks in high-density areas in Winslow. The committee includes the police chief, fire chief and two councilors, she said.

Rodney Alderman, a captain with Waterville Fire and Rescue, said he’s also concerned about the use of fireworks in neighborhoods.

“It runs the risk of having fireworks fall on somebody’s house and possibly causing a fire,” he said.

Alderman advises users to seek wide-open spaces for fireworks displays, keep a fire extinguisher handy and prevent children from using them. He also advises sobriety.

“When you mix fireworks with frosty-cold adult beverages, you’re going to see irresponsible use,” he said.

Alderman said the weather outlook is favorable this weekend; fire danger should be low to moderate.

Winslow resident Adam Giguere said he bought fireworks Friday for a Memorial Day display for friends and his children. He said the appeal of fireworks is simple.

“Every kid and every guy likes explosions,” he said. “It’s just exciting.”

Ben McCanna — 861-9239

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