TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Right now, the building sits empty. \u201cPermanently closed,\u201d the sign reads, sealing shut normally sliding doors from opening at the former Walgreens on the corner of John Knox and N Monroe.<\/p>\n
Phantom Fireworks would like to take its place, a city commissioner says, opening up the possibility of year-round firework sales in Florida\u2019s capital city. Records show<\/a> \u201cPhantom Fireworks Eastern Region\u201d hired the Arrow Group in January to lobby the City of Tallahassee on their behalf.<\/p>\n City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow said so far, city staff have denied the necessary permits to open the store, arguing the space is not zoned for a fireworks store, and\/or that Phantom Fireworks cannot transfer its retail fireworks license into town.<\/p>\n As a public policy matter, Matlow said year round fireworks sales would be bad for residents, especially those suffering from PTSD and those with skittish pets. <\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people see a store that\u2019s really only supposed to be used three days out of the year as a step in the wrong direction. It\u2019s replacing a Walgreens that was a food source, a pharmacy for this neighborhood,\u201d Matlow said. \u201cFireworks don\u2019t belong in the central core of a city.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Florida Sheriffs Association<\/a>, fireworks are only allowed in Florida on New Year\u2019s Eve, New Year\u2019s Day and the Fourth of July. Matlow said that allows vulnerable groups to know when they might hear loud bangs and pops.<\/p>\n However, he said fireworks stores will also use a loophole meant for agriculture and aquaculture to allow for year round sales. By signing a form, Matlow said members of the public can self certify they are using the fireworks for permissible uses other than fun. <\/p>\n \u201cSo, what you see these companies do, is they have their customers sign saying that\u2019s what they\u2019re going to use them for, but then they don\u2019t track them to see if that\u2019s actually the case,\u201d Matlow said. \u201cSo, this puts a huge burden on local law enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n The Leon County Humane Society is also raising concerns. They said pet owners have a tough enough time on holidays when they know fireworks are coming, let alone when they\u2019re unexpected.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, I think every vet clinic in town would probably tell you that, prior to those holidays, they have pet owners calling in, asking for medications to help with expected anxiety and fear that they already see in their pets,\u201d Lisa Glunt from the Leon County Humane Society said. \u201cBut, if this was nonstop and year round, I would expect that we would see those things on a greater scale.\u201d<\/p>\n According to an Orlando area law firm<\/a>, illegally selling fireworks is a misdemeanor, though Matlow said it\u2019s difficult for local law enforcement to catch someone in the act.<\/p>\n Mary Ann Lindley, a former Leon County commissioner, said she noticed a rise in professional lobbying near the end of her last term in 2020. Gradually, she said men and women in suits have started to appear on the local level, requesting meetings and making commercialized sales pitches.<\/p>\n She said that leaves elected officials to balance the polished and well funded information against neighborhood concerns. She believes the city\u2019s lobbyist registration portal is good for transparency, and shines a light on which groups are maneuvering behind the scenes at City Hall.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n