1986, The First Stand
In May of 1986, Edel Bonneau, Clyde Cheatham (Edel’s father-in-law) and Ron Bonneau (Edel’s son) built their first firework stand in Edel’s backyard. Five gallons of sweat and twenty bruises later, the stand was completely built. They made the decision to pay for an additional stand to be built. In June of that same year, the two firework stands were launched in Bridgeport, Texas. Edel and Darlene (Edel’s Wife) ran one location while Ron and his wife ran the other. Every mistake that you could possible imagine was made, for this was mostly a learning experience. Despite the obstacles, the first season was a success. Bonneau Fireworks was born. A partnership between Edel and Ron.
A Growing Partnership
The following year, 1987, Randy Bonneau (Son of Edel, Brother of Ron) entered the partnership. Together, the three of them built fifteen additional firework stands throughout Northeast Texas. Surprisingly, the seventeen total fireworks locations were not as easy to operate so quickly as made up to be. In 1988, the father and sons sat down at the drawing board and came up with a new and improved plan. Together, the three of them successfully reconstructed the operations of Bonneau Fireworks and had a successful season.
The Split
As all family members do, the two sons and father began to have different visions and goals. The three of them agreed that it would be better to split up and operate as affiliates. In 1989, Bonneau Enterprises (Randy Bonneau) and Ron’s Fireworks (Ron Bonneau) was born. Each brother setup six locations while Edel Bonneau built an additional thirty. Business continued this way for the next four years.
The Rise of Roanoke
Around 1993, the Alliance Airport was built in North Ft. Worth, TX. Land was sold to provide dirt for the development as well as the widening of SH 114. This resulted in the perfect location for Ron’s stand in Roanoke, TX. Ron sold the remainder of his locations to Edel and focused solely on the one location. For the next three years, Edel, Ron and Randy helped each other while remaining separate entities. In 1997, the Texas Motor Speedway was built and a competing fireworks retailer closed down. All of a sudden, Roanoke began to grow at a tremendous pace.
Florida Bound
In 2003, Ron and his wife moved to Florida. Ron continued running the Roanoke location, traveling back and forth. In December of 2005, Ron’s Fireworks opened its first location in Florida. The space was small and smelled like animal feed. It was located in the back of Baldwin Feed & Seed with minimal space available. After two seasons, the business quickly outgrew the space. The Florida location moved approximately one mile down the street and began operating out of a tent located in the J & R’s Used Auto parking lot. In 2007, Ron sold his Roanoke location to his father, Edel Bonneau, to focus on Florida, to which he continued operating as Ron’s Fireworks.
Unfortunate Turns
On August 31, 2011, Edel Bonneau, owner of Bonneau Fireworks, passed away. Bonneau Fireworks is now owned by Edel’s wife, Joy Darlene Bonneau. Ron and Randy Bonneau, sons of Edel, renewed their partnership and began managing Bonneau Fireworks as a team. In 2012, the City of Roanoke enforced the city charter on the annexed land that Ron’s Fireworks was operating on, causing the Roanoke location to close down permanently.
Current
In June of 2016, Ron opened his second Florida location in Keystone Heights, FL. With the continued success and growth of Ron’s Fireworks in Florida, a third location was opened in Lake City. Both Ron Bonneau and Randy Bonneau continue managing the Texas locations of Bonneau Fireworks. The Texas locations operate across four counties in North Central Texas under the name of Ron’s Fireworks. In addition, Ron continues devoting his time to continue expanding in Florida.
