Cheap Smokes & Cigars, founded by Jeff Lawrence in 2009, continues its strong growth with new expansion plans into the province of Alberta. With sales totaling over 2 million dollars each location in Airdrie and the Town of Olds, despite the small populations, Cheap Smokes & Cigars has already managed to capture the smoker base market in rural Alberta.
A change in local laws in 2009 that prohibited tobacco from being sold at the same locations as medicines created the need for a smoke shop that offered its customers service and respect. The restriction drove smokers to gas stations and other small stores that were not focused on the smoker's experience. Cheap Smokes & Cigars, with its 1950s and 1960s theme, aims to treat current smokers with respect and attention.
The enormous success Cheap Smokes & Cigars has had in two markets with local populations of less than 40,000 people has promoted the franchise to develop a full expansion plan for Alberta. The first franchise location is planned for Grande Prairie, with a population of over 55,000. Other possible future locations currently in the development stage include Edmonton, Okotoks, Llyodminster, Calgary, Medicine Hat and Drumheller.
According to founder Jeff Lawrence, the Alberta market is wide open with many territories still available, including Wataskiwin, Beaumon, Red Deer, Whitecourt, Fort Saskatchewan and Cold Lake. Given Cheap Smokes & Cigar's current success, interested franchisees should move quickly to avoid missing out on the opportunity.
