Godzilla is missing in Independence. How you can help find him — and earn $1,000
The King of the Monsters previously destroyed Kansas City. Now he’s gone missing.
A viral post on Facebook has made the rounds, alerting residents in the Kansas City area of a stolen Godzilla inflatable from Godzilla’s Fireworks, 4700 N Cobbler Road in Independence. Business owner Frankie Hawkins has offered a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the recovery of the inflatable.
Hawkins said the 25-foot inflatable was stolen from the business’s storage location within the KC area, where it stays during the offseason. He discovered it was missing Tuesday, his first day of preparations for the upcoming fireworks season.
He was shocked to see it gone, since Godzilla has become a recognizable part of his business and the community.
“The inflatable wasn’t just a piece of advertising; it was a favorite attraction for our customers, especially children,” Hawkins said. “Families would stop every year to take pictures with Godzilla, and many made it part of their annual Fourth of July tradition. That’s what makes this loss especially difficult.”
His disappointment was met with overwhelming support from the community, and the positive responses he’s received reminded him just how many people connected with their Godzilla inflatable over the 20 years since it debuted at the fireworks shop.
The giant monster, or kaiju as he’s referred to in his debut country of Japan, felt like a natural fit for the fireworks business, Hawkins said. Fireworks are big, exciting, loud and memorable — and so is Godzilla. He wanted something that families would instantly recognize, and over the years the monster has become much more than a mascot, it’s become part of the business’s identity.
The business has received a few tips over the 18 hours since Hawkins discovered it was stolen, but the inflatable hasn’t been recovered. He’s hopeful that increased awareness will lead to the return of Godzilla.
Godzilla’s Fireworks opened over 30 years ago by Hawkins’ parents, Richard and Angel. The store and Godzilla were passed down to Frankie Hawkins, and he’s proud to carry on the family tradition.
“Every year, we see families return, sometimes with multiple generations, and it’s rewarding to know we’ve become part of their holiday traditions,” Frankie Hawkins said. “Fireworks have a unique way of bringing people together, and I’m honored to continue the business my parents started.”
Despite the loss, Godzilla’s Fireworks is open for the season from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the Fourth of July. Everything inside the store is 50% off, Hawkins said.
Anyone with tips can text, call or message 816-585-4429 or 816-225-1152.
