From staff reports
Rizer Fireworks is a family-owned and run retail business that was established in 1984 by Clifton and Mary Rizer in Marienville, Pennsylvania. The couple opened their second location in Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania in 1997. As the small company continued to grow a third location was opened in Russell, Pennsylvania in 2004. The family has since opened another location in DuBois, Pennsylvania in May of 2022. Rizer Fireworks has been providing safe entertainment to our patrons for 40 years.
The company started from very humble beginnings, with the first year’s operations being held in a small rented building in Vowinckle, Pennsylvania. This temporary location was used while the ground for the permanent store in Marienville was being cleared for building. In the early years of Rizer Fireworks, the company’s founders also were supplying 180 Sheetz stores with sparklers and novelty items from 1989 until 1995. From the company’s start in 1984 until the law changed in 2017, only out-of-state residents could purchase full line fireworks items while Pennsylvania residents were restricted to novelties, fountains, and sparklers.
In 2017, Rizer Fireworks — along with their storefronts — also operated five tent locations throughout the area. The company only did this for the one year because of another Pennsylvania law change that made tents only able to sell novelties, fountains, and sparklers from these temporary structures.
Rizer Fireworks has worked to establish and maintain relationships with the community over the past 40 years. Mary Rizer participated in the entrepreneurial business leaders’ program at St. Joesph Elementary school. The program was designed to help fifth graders gain a deeper understanding of business and its operations. Rizer Fireworks in Marienville hosted the students for an educational field trip to the store as part of the experience.
In 2020, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Rizer Fireworks donated fireworks to North Clarion High School for a special graduation ceremony to help the seniors create a special memory; after missing so many of the other activities that should be going on during senior year were cancelled or altered to accommodate COVID safety protocol.
This year the company looks to continue upgrading its technology with improvements to both the website and app, helping customers better access information and videos for our products. Rizer Fireworks also has started a gift certificate program, the best possible gift for fireworks enthusiasts in your life.
The company is now owned by Clifton and Mary Rizer, along with their daughter Christina (Rizer) Tepke and her husband, Jacob. Rizer Fireworks operates as a summer seasonal business and is open May September, with the option to make appointments the rest of the year at any of the four locations.
Rizer Fireworks provides the public with access to fireworks products such as: rockets, firecrackers, fountains, parachutes, roman candles, mortar sets, and repeater cakes. High quality products are imported from China for the best value and lowest prices. Rizer Fireworks offers a large selection of both ground and aerial display items, with sizes and prices to accommodate every celebration and budget. The company’s friendly and knowledgeable staff works to help families create their own perfect backyard experience! “Our staff treats our customers like family because that is really important to us,” stated Christina, “we want to help make life long memories that include fireworks fun!”
Rizer Fireworks is also available for professional display shows for town festivals, weddings, birthdays, retirements, graduations, and other events. Over the past 40 years the company has provided these services for events such as: the Marienville Fourth of July Celebration, Smethport Summer Festival, Horsethief’s Days in Knox, Potter County Fair, St. Mary Church Picnic in Crown, Girl Scout Camp, Community Days in Rural Valley, Mayfest in Fryburg, and Light Up Night in Leeper.
The company plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary with special edition T-shirts, available at all their locations. Additionally, Rizer Fireworks has slashed prices in honor of this year’s milestone anniversary!
Rizer Fireworks is excited to offer the most “Buy 1, Get 2 Free” deals in-store anywhere! In-store bonuses also add value to your shopping experience. Additional early-bird specials run through Father’s Day. For an unforgettable experience visit Rizer Fireworks. They are located at 40147 Route 66 in Marienville and are open from May to September. Call (814) 316-1183 or visit www.rizerfireworks.com. Rizer Fireworks can be found in the app store; you can also find them on Facebook.
All of us at Rizer Fireworks would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the family, friends, customers, business, and colleagues that have supported us along that way! Rizer Fireworks is a success because of all of you and we look forward to the next 40 years of providing safe, quality backyard entertainment to all of you!