Every year in Nome a small shop just outside of town opens its door for the Fourth of July. The business, owned and operated by Leo Rasmussen, is tucked inside a small white shipping container. Inside are hundreds of fireworks, which Rasmussen said he’s been selling for over half a century.
The 84-year-old said he got started in the trade shortly after getting married in 1968. Back then, firecrackers were selling for just 20 cents a pop.
“Now that's one firecracker, it's not a string of firecrackers, and I knew it couldn't be that expensive,” Rasmussen said. “I checked into it, and I found out how bad he was ripping people off. I decided I'd get into fireworks.”
Rasmussen started off selling fireworks out of the back of a Chevy Blazer. Over the years he bounced around to eight different locations across town. In recent years, Rasmussen moved to Fairbanks but each summer he returns to Nome with fresh fireworks.
The 84-year-old said he got started in the trade shortly after getting married in 1968. Back then, firecrackers were selling for just 20 cents a pop.
“Now that's one firecracker, it's not a string of firecrackers, and I knew it couldn't be that expensive,” Rasmussen said. “I checked into it, and I found out how bad he was ripping people off. I decided I'd get into fireworks.”
Rasmussen started off selling fireworks out of the back of a Chevy Blazer. Over the years he bounced around to eight different locations across town. In recent years, Rasmussen moved to Fairbanks but each summer he returns to Nome with fresh fireworks.
“I wouldn't have guessed, you know, 50 years ago, I'd be here 55 years later,” Rasmussen said.
Nome resident Greg Thornton does it big for the Fourth of July. Each year, he hoists a giant American flag on top of his truck, a tradition he said honors his late father who served in the military.
Thornton said he’s been shopping at Rasmussen’s for 13 years.
“Kids love it, I love it. The only thing I'm not used to is it doesn't get dark, so you can't really see them,” Thornton said. “So I got to buy the big ones that blow up.”
Rasmussen used to set up the shop alone, but this year he has help from his grandson Tylar Hoffert and his partner Kassidy Pehrson.
“They're not just helping me out, I'm hoping maybe they'll take over some sometime in the next year or two,” Rasmussen said.
But he said as long as Nome needs fireworks, his family will be there.
“You're there to please the public, and hopefully they'll please you by paying you for it,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen’s Firework Stand is located at mile 2.6 on the Beam Road. He plans on being open from 4 to 9 p.m. until July 6.
