Gorilla Fireworks is open in their new location

Gorilla Fireworks is now operational out of their new building in Houston, located on the opposite side of the Parks Highway from their original stand. While the building is now open for customers, the crew is still preparing and organizing their fireworks displays for the New Year’s celebration.

“We have a massive selection of options, and the cool opportunity to be in this building for the first season,” Manager Samantha Bouma said.

Bouma explained that the inside of the building will be set up like the old fireworks stand for this year. They intend to have a different solution in the future as they adapt to the space. All of the fireworks stands - Gorilla Fireworks, Black Cat Fireworks and TNT Fireworks - will be operating under one roof this year to share the indoor sprinkler system.

Gorilla Fireworks has operated out of their previous location since around 1990. They began working with the City of Houston 10 years ago to “build an attractive building with attractive landscaping that would visually enhance the entrance to Houston,” Bouma said. COVID and its associated effects on supplies and the widening of the Parks Highway pushed construction dates back.

Large windows let in copious amounts of light to the 15,000 sq. ft. floor space. A bright blue and white concrete floor creates a sky-like appearance. An 85,000-gallon tank that holds water for the building's sprinkler system stands nearly floor to ceiling in a back corner. The yellow and blue building with its unique design is an intriguing sight to passerby, Bouma explained.

“We wanted it to be visible in the winter, which is our busy time- that is one reason we have so much glass- so that it can light up and be seen as the driver approaches,” Bouma said.

Bouma highlighted several people that made the building design and construction possible. The owner of Gorilla Fireworks is Amy Hall. Artist Kelly Herbert wanted to create a simple building with a unique and attractive front. Laura Read from Wolf Architecture in Palmer turned the building into what it is today.

Landscaping will be completed in 2025. There have been 50,000 sq. ft. of Alaskan wildflowers and 80,000 sq. ft. of grass hydroseeded on the property. Landscape architect Marie Hulse from Corvus Design came up with the idea to incorporate LED lighting outside during the winter. The lighted trees can be seen from the highway.

“This building is a result of the input of a lot of people and the strong push or nudge from the City of Houston to do something attractive,” Bouma said. “It’s been a real team creative effort.”

Gorilla Fireworks will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Christmas. The building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. after Christmas until the New Year. Additional signage will be added to the building in the coming weeks to welcome customers.

Bouma mentioned that one of their popular items is the “show-in-a-box,” where the customer lights the box once and enjoys a choreographed fireworks show. Other popular items are the artillery shells that fire over 200 feet in the air before exploding. Bouma suggested that customers should visit the building early to make sure they can purchase what they want before it sells out.

Gorilla Fireworks reminds people to enjoy fireworks responsibly. The Mat-Su Borough allows the lighting of fireworks starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and ending at 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.

“We always encourage safe and responsible adult sober supervision for using fireworks at any time, but certainly around the holidays,” Bouma said. “[We] like to use the tagline, ‘have fun, be done by one.’”

The crew at Gorilla Fireworks is excited to work in their new space. During this time of growth, Bouma asked for the community to be patient and understanding with the changes the company is making.

“We just ask that the public give us feedback on what they like and don't like, but understand that it's a first time for all of us,” Bouma said. “We’re still just working through figuring out how it's all going to go.”