Discount Smokes opens in New Richmond

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Area residents who buy pre-packaged cigarettes are paying too much – that’s what Dave Young thinks.

Young, manager of Discount Smokes Tobacco Shop, said his store can offer a similar product to any packaged smokes at less than half the cost.

Discount Smokes is owned by Kent Burnstad, a Tomah resident and Young’s college friend. He opened two tobacco shops – one in River Falls and one in Hayward — about a year ago. A few months later a third store opened in Menomonie and in April New Richmond’s store opened at 729 N. Knowles Ave., Suite B.

The store features a RYO (Roll Your Own) Filling Station, a machine that rolls 190-200 smokes in 8-10 minutes.

“These machines started in the east and are working their way west,” Young said. “They hit Wisconsin about a year ago.”

He said most smokers are just learning about the new machines and their capabilities. Each week more and more stop by the store to get more information.

“We do a tremendous amount of repeat business,” he said.

The tobacco shop offers six varieties of tobacco and six different tubes, he said. Using different combinations, customers can create custom smokes that feature a full, moderate, light or ultra-light smoke.

“With the different tobacco and tubes we can match their taste,” he said.

Along with the RYO Filling Station, Discount Smokes also carries 15-20 different varieties of premium cigars, specially-priced “It’s a Girl” and “It’s a Boy” cigars, Smoke Odor candles, various smoking accessories, Hookah flavored tobacco, rolling machines and chewing tobacco.

Discount Smokes Tobacco Shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call 715-246-6110.

Tags: new richmond, business