The Cigarette Store (TCS), LLC, also known as Smoker Friendly, has announced its latest acquisition of Forrest City, Arkansas-based Tobacco Superstores. Smoker Friendly acquired all 79 Tobacco Stores spread across Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kentucky. These stores will be rebranded as Smoker Friendly and will begin to carry the company’s various SF cigarette and tobacco product lines.
“I could not be prouder of what has transpired over the past 11 years and where this has led,” commented Joe Marelle, CEO and owner of Tobacco Superstores. “Tobacco Superstores consists of a great and proud group of people. Now, TSS can become part of something bigger. I truly believe in the Gallagher family and their vision. I have had the honor of knowing Terry for 11 years, but have developed a deeper appreciation of his entire operation through working with others like his brother Dan. This is a special transaction that will lead to great things.”
Terry Gallagher, Jr., CEO of The Cigarette Store, LLC, added: “We’ve known Joe Marelle for many years, so when he reached out expressing a desire to exit the business, we jumped at the opportunity this transaction presented. We are very excited about the stores and their great team joining Smoker Friendly and expanding our corporate store footprint in these great southern states! This is our largest acquisition to date and I’m very proud of our team and the many hours expended to close this deal. We are actively pursuing additional acquisitions and continue to be bullish on growth opportunities.”
The acquisition of Tobacco Stores is the fifth acquisition Smoker Friendly has transacted over the last two years. Today, TCS has a total of 260 stores and operates in 12 states. TCS is the largest licensee of Smoker Friendly International, the largest tobacco store retailer in the United States that operates a mix of tobacco stores, cigar lounges, liquor stores and fueling locations under the Smoker Friendly, Tobacco Depot, Smoke ‘N Go, Havana Manor and Gasamat banners. TCS also owns and operates its own e-commerce site, paylesscigarsandpipes.com.
For all the latest news from Smoker Friendly, visit smokerfriendly.com.
