Circle City Fireworks was officially founded in 2016, though its roots stretch across three generations. Barbara Whiteside, daughter of John Whiteside and granddaughter of Ronald Whiteside, began selling fireworks in 1998 with the knowledge passed down from her family. It started as a side hustle during a challenging time in her life as a single mother of two. In 2015, she entered the real estate industry and used the earnings from her new career, along with a loan from a partner, to open her first retail fireworks store on Pendleton Pike in Indianapolis in 2017.
Barbara’s inspiration to run a fireworks business comes from growing up in it. As a child, she was placed in a playpen in front of her father’s fireworks stand, greeting customers with a smile. Fireworks have been a part of her life from her earliest memories. She not only loves fireworks themselves but also the joy they bring to others. Hearing from happy customers after every Fourth of July never gets old.
Circle City Fireworks is unique in its straightforward, customer-focused approach. The company avoids gimmicks, instead prioritizing affordability, quality, and long-term customer relationships. Barbara and her team work hard to source the best products at the lowest possible prices and deliver them with outstanding service.
The team is made up of family and loyal staff members who have been with the company since its early days. Together, they bring over 100 years of combined experience in the fireworks industry. All products are carefully inspected for quality and sourced from trusted name brands, ensuring every customer gets fireworks they can count on.
Customer safety and satisfaction are top priorities. The team goes out of its way to answer questions and offer detailed guidance on product use, encouraging early shopping to allow time for personalized attention before the busy holiday rush.
All products meet national and local safety regulations 100%. Circle City Fireworks operates with full compliance and integrity.
Looking ahead, the company plans to open a wholesale warehouse and a retail location near a major interstate in Central Indiana to serve more customers. There are also plans to expand to southern states to support New Year’s celebrations and to open a year-round store that will serve customers for all holidays. Efforts are underway to explore ways to ship fireworks nationally in smaller, more accessible quantities without requiring bulk orders.