Family continues 30-year fireworks stand tradition

If Monroe residents Carl and Mary Zaremba have learned one thing over the last 30 years it's this: The family that sells fireworks together stays together.

Since 1985, the Zaremba family has done just that. And with the Fourth of July right around the corner, Carl, Mary and their 28-year-old daughter, Anne, are gearing up for another whirlwind week of operating their Monroe Zaremba's TNT Fireworks stands. This year's routine will mimic that of recent years ' Carl and Mary will run the stand in the Fred Meyer parking lot (18805 SR 2), while Anne manages a separate stand in the parking lot near Haggen's (19881 SR 2).

Anne's siblings Matthew and Jennifer also participate, helping with things like inventory management and tear-down.

Initially, operating a fireworks stand was born out of Carl's intrinsic love for things that explode, in addition to a desire to supplement the family income. Ultimately, what began as a way to earn a little extra money evolved into a time-honored family tradition.

"Fireworks have been my love all my life,GÇ¥ Carl said. "It's in my genes. If I wasn't selling them I'd be making them, and that's dangerous.GÇ¥

Since he was 8 years old, Carl has had a penchant for things that explode. While growing up in Yakima, Carl spent quite a bit of time with his chemistry set, discovering creative ways to blow things up. He took things up a notch around age 13, when he and his next-door neighbor were given the opportunity to experiment with chemicals that kids aren't typically able to access. One of their explosive achievements was a device that reacted violently with water, which resulted in many blown-up cherry-picking buckets swiped from his neighbor's nearby orchard.

"We blew the bottom out of every cherry bucket they had, and they had a 20-acre cherry orchard,GÇ¥ Carl remembered. "His dad was not happy.GÇ¥

Carl eventually graduated from Washington State University with a degree in chemistry. Throughout his professional life, he's worked in education, telecommunications and real estate. In 1985, when Carl and Mary were looking for a way to bring in some extra money for their growing family, fireworks seemed like a natural solution.

"Fireworks is literally in my blood,GÇ¥ Carl said. "Anything fireworks-related is of interest to me.GÇ¥

The Zaremba's first fireworks stand was in West Seattle, due to the mechanics of the fireworks-sales business model. Individuals aren't able to immediately choose where they are going to operate ' the fireworks distributor has contracts with various locations, and acts as the coordinator by assigning the locations to individuals or groups interested in operating the stands.

Oftentimes, the locations are assigned a year in advance. The distribution company supplies the tent, the location and the fireworks.

"When you sign up, you don't have a lot of control over where you operate, especially in the beginning. If you wish to operate as a group or fundraiser, then you contact the company that supplies the fireworks,GÇ¥ Carl said. "It's actually pretty easy to get into because there's so little up-front capital involved. It's just a lot of organization.GÇ¥

It took them approximately 6 or 7 years before they were able to secure a Monroe location. At one point, they were situated by the A & W Root Beer (18824 U.S. 2) drive-in, which is currently home to the Monroe Denny's.

Then, in the early 1990s, when Mary learned that a new Fred Meyer store would be built, she immediately contacted the fireworks company and put in a request for that location. They've operated a stand in the Fred Meyer parking lot on a regular basis since that time.

To Anne, growing up in the fireworks business has positively influenced her life in a number of ways. Between working at the stands and eventually managing a stand herself, she was able to gain experience in things like inventory management, general business operations, employee management and marketing.

All three Zaremba kids are Monroe High School graduates, with current careers in business; Anne works for Boeing as a business analyst, Jennifer works in business at the University of Washington Medical Center and Matthew is opening a new business in Bothell called Drafters Games.

"We're all in business,GÇ¥ Anne said. "I can't help think that it's just kind of funny ' the business aspects of our lives clearly come from childhood upbringing.GÇ¥

In addition to helping mold their futures, fireworks sales have been a great way to enhance the family income.-á -á

"It helped to send my brother, my sister and myself all through school,GÇ¥ Anne said. "It's one thing I've been super proud of. It's just been really fun.GÇ¥

Every year, the Zarembas work to discourage the use of illegal fireworks like bottle rockets and firecrackers, and with the recent dry weather, this year will be no different.

They also work with customers to guide awareness on where fireworks can be used legally. Regulations are completely dependent on where a person lives, as they differ from city to city and county to county.

The use of illegal fireworks like firecrackers and bottle rockets can be quite problematic, Anne explained.

"They cause the most fires,GÇ¥ Anne said. "That's actually what gives fireworks a bad rap ' is people using the illegal fireworks. If you look at it from a statistical standpoint, bottle rockets and firecrackers cause the most damage.GÇ¥-á

Often, customers aren't even aware of which fireworks are illegal, so the Zarembas work to educate them. Unless you are on a reservation, purchasing and setting off fireworks, including firecrackers, salutes, chasers, bottle rockets, sky rockets and any missile-type rockets, is illegal. Questions about this can be answered at either of the Zaremba's stands, which will open during the week prior to the Fourth of July. The stands will open during the day and well-guarded at night.

Mary is hopeful for some rain before the Fourth this year, to help improve the dry conditions and increase safety. While not necessarily the pyrotechnic enthusiast that her husband is, the business has definitely grown on Mary over the years.

"You have no idea what you're going to get when you say, "I do,'GÇ¥ she joked.

For more information about the Zaremba's fireworks stands, visit www.facebook.com/events/1595911177348602.