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For five years, Daniel Teter, of Jacksonville, has bought his Fourth of July supplies at Bob’s Fireworks, which is at the Lake of the Woods exit off Interstate 70. (NICOLE DEVERICH/ Missourian)
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Andrew Crumly, left, buys fireworks from Bob Gerau, who said Bob’s Fireworks has the biggest selection and the lowest prices in mid-Missouri. (NICOLE DEVERICH/ Missourian)
Bob Gerau got started in the fireworks business in 1965. He had sent away for fireworks, and a few neighbors bought some from him. The first year, he and his wife, Audrey, made only $400, which translated to about 25 cents an hour.
Gerau’s first fireworks stand was 96 square feet and was located off Clark Lane. His current stand, Bob’s Fireworks, is 16,600 square feet, and he opened a permanent location last year.
Gerau likes to keep his fireworks business in the family. On Sunday, his niece, Sarah Loch, and grandsons, Brandon and Sheldon Gerau, helped him out on the register and with inventory. His wife and daughter do the booking and handle the business side of their business.
Bob and Audrey Gerau travel to fireworks conventions across the United States, and their son-in-law has even gotten into the business. He works with producers in China to design fireworks packaging.
Next to the Bob’s Fireworks tent are three trailers full of back stock.
“I’ll tell you one thing,” Gerau said, “we have the biggest selection and the lowest prices in mid-Missouri.”
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