Smoke shop offers smokes, soda, loans
Staff reporter
Jamie and Glen Eickelberry of rural Marion, recently opened a retail tobacco shop at 152 W. Main, Marion, that offers more than smokes and chews.
In addition to cigarettes, cigars, chewing and pipe tobaccos, Up in Smoke offers bottled soda pop and even loans.
"These loans are designed for emergency situations," Jamie Eickelberry explained. "This will keep the electricity from being shut off or checking account from being overdrawn."
Payday Loans is designed to allow the consumer to borrow money on his/her next paycheck. A completed application is required with a credit check, she explained.
"The theory is the charges (for the loan) outweigh the inconvenience of returned checks or electricity being disconnected," Eickelberry said.
The tobacco portion of the retail business offers typical products and can special order items not readily available.
Located at 151 W. Main Street, Eickelberry said the store is in a good location.
"People appreciate having us in the valley," she said, as a customer came in to purchase a bottle of pop. "They don't have to go to the other end of town to purchase bottled pop and cigarettes."
The Eickelberrys are able to offer tobacco products at a reduced price because they obtain discounts directly from tobacco companies.
The couple wants to continue to expand inventory with a wider variety of tobacco products.
The store not only caters to local residents but those who live outside the Marion city limits.
"We have customers who come from around the county," Eickelberry said.
