Insane History
Discover the Rich History of Insane McCain’s Fireworks. From the simple beginnings to the expansive company spanning the entire state of Alabama
Insane McCain Fireworks Timeline
1985
In the Summer of 1985, Nira McCain began an adventure selling wholesale fireworks in Sumiton Alabama
1993
Michael purchased the first trailer to be used as a stand location in Curry Alabamaa.
2007
Drought! Reduced footprint, more focus on customers
2021 – Present
Insane McCain Fireworks has over 20 locations now serving Alabama
1989
In 1989, Nira felt it was time for expansion. The second flap stand was opened in Parrish Alabama.
1994
Expansion into multiple locations acorss the State of Alabamaa.
2020
COVID – reduced locations, strategy update, pushing through
The Real Story
~ 1985 - 1989 ~
In the Summer of 1985, Nira McCain began an adventure selling wholesale fireworks in Sumiton Alabama. Her son, Randy McCain opened the first flap stand located in front of MASCO Auto Parts, also owned by the McCain family. Her two youngest sons, Michael and AJ also worked part time and helped out with selling during the first years of the business’ opening.
~ 1989 - 1993 ~
In 1989, Nira felt it was time for expansion. The second flap stand was opened in Parrish Alabama. Her youngest son, Michael, a senior at Walker High School helped his grandfather build a third stand which he opened in Manchester, a small community located in Jasper, Alabama. Over the next several years, Michael opened another located in Carbon Hill, Alabama. Now with 4 locations, all flap stands, Insane McCains Fireworks has truly begun.
~ 1993 - 1994 ~
In an effort to create a larger footprint and bring more excitement to the retail business, Michael purchased the first trailer to be used as a stand location. While sales continued to grow, a larger retail store was needed to keep enough inventory on hand to meet the demand. The first trailer was 45’ in length and was opened in Curry, Alabama in the summer of 1993. At this point, There were 6 locations, 4 opened and operated by Mike and the 2 locations owned by Nira.
The Expansion
~ 1994 - 2007 ~
The next decade began an expansion that included additional trailers and more locations. Michael worked at MASCO Auto Parts with his brother Randy and took vacation twice a year to run the fireworks business. The variety of brands increased in each location to include Black Cat, World Class, TNT and Glorious Fireworks. During this period, the once part time hobby became a full time job. The home base for fireworks was moved from his original Manchester location to Sumiton. Michael bought out his brothers interest in the business in Warrior, Alabama and began to build larger, modular trailers to set up instead of traditional flap stands.
~ 2007 - 2019 ~
Drought! The drought of 2007 all but shut down fireworks sales in Alabama and much of the south. This setback caused Insane McCain Fireworks to take a major financial hit and forced a new strategy going forward. The number of Insane McCain Fireworks locations fluctuated and decisions had to be made to find the best strategy going forward for how the company would endure. Locations were up to 25 and over the course of this time, that number dropped to 17. Doing this allowed more time and attention to be placed per location to enhance the buying experience for customers and ease some of the cost burden on the owner.
A New Era
~ 2020 ~
COVID. The first part of 2020 saw people quarantined into their homes leading to a nationwide issue for businesses across the country. Many of them closed. By the time the 4th of July rolled around, everyone was ready to be out and about and out of quarantine. They were ready for the fireworks season. Demand skyrocketed over the next few years. The issue then became supply. China’s production of fireworks was halted. It was difficult to locate enough supply to meet the demand. Fortunately, for Insane McCain's Fireworks, relationships that has been built in previous years with suppliers in the industry allowed the company to acquire enough stock to flourish and setup the future for the business. The number of Insane McCain Fireworks locations fluctuated and decisions had to be made to find the best strategy going forward for how the company would endure. Locations were up to 25 and over the course of this time, that number dropped to 17. Doing this allowed more time and attention to be placed per location to enhance the buying experience for customers and ease some of the cost burden on the owner.
~ 2021 - Present ~
Insane McCain Fireworks has over 20 locations now serving Alabama. Direct imports from China have kept prices affordable and the variety of products vast. Although home base for Insane McCain's Fireworks remains in Sumiton Alabama, where it sales wholesale AND Retail, a new Superstore is being built in the winter of 2024 in Jemison, Alabama. A second Superstore is planned in the summer of 2025 in Oneonta, Alabama, with a HUGE inventory and selection, multiple locations all across the state of Alabama, Insane McCain's Fireworks is now a premier spot for everyone to find fireworks at affordable prices for any occasion.