Saying they want to protect the pocketbooks of local business owners, the Warren Town Council on Tuesday night unanimously rejected the request of a Connecticut fireworks seller who wanted to set up a large temporary tent on Metacom Avenue for the Fourth of July holiday season.

Joshua Nielsen of Phantom Fireworks Eastern Region LLC had asked council members for permission to erect a 600-square-foot tent in the Ocean State Job Lot plaza so he could sell fireworks from the latter half of June through July. He needed special permission from councilors as ordinances limit the size of temporary commercial tents at 350 square feet.

But councilors balked at the idea, saying having such a large tent would offer him an unfair advantage over Warren merchants, many of whom already sell fireworks.

“We have people in town that are paying property taxes that already have business here,” council president Joseph DePasquale told Mr. Nielsen. With such a large tent “you have a pretty big advantage here. I want to do the best I can for the mom and pops that are established in Warren.”

“I agree,” added councilor Steve Thompson. “I would be inclined to consider this if you were in compliance with the (350-square-foot limit). But I think (a larger tent) gives you a totally different, unfair advantage.”