Wild Bill’s Tobacco, based in Michigan, has acquired 34 Cheap Tobacco store locations, including 33 in Ohio and one in West Virginia. The deal, finalized in early November, marks the retirement of Cheap Tobacco Founder and CEO Dennis Harper, who has led the company for 30 years.
Harper expressed confidence in Wild Bill’s ability to maintain service and product quality while expanding offerings. “We wouldn’t have passed the torch to anyone else but the Wild Bill’s family,” Harper said.
With this acquisition, Wild Bill’s now operates 240 stores across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and West Virginia. This move also adds Wild Bill’s first location in West Virginia.
Jon Welzel, Chief Marketing Officer at Wild Bill’s Tobacco, welcomed Cheap Tobacco customers to the brand, noting plans to enhance the shopping experience with expanded product lines, renovated stores, and additional services like walk-in humidors.
Cheap Tobacco employees have been retained, with plans for added benefits, including annual raises and 401k matches. Renovations of the newly acquired stores are expected to take six to nine months.
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