Since the big day, owner Rocky Patel notes that business has slowly but surely seen new faces coming in.

“As far as the people there, we’re very happy…” Patel said.

The Livermore location is BigOStop Smoke Shop’s second. Patel opened their first location as a store and gas station in their hometown of Central City in Muhlenberg County in 2016 after seeing the potential market and the success they could have in selling vaping products. and varieties that could be offered.

Patel felt it was ideal to expand into a community like Livermore for convenience to offer vaping products, as well as a line of premium tobacco bags, chewing tobacco, cigarettes , electronic cigarettes, essential sticks and vaporizers, lighters as well as slides, sunglasses and snacks.

“We saw the opportunity in Livermore because…there was no smoking room available…” Patel said.

Patel purchased the building last May after noticing the building’s location on a trunk road and saw great potential in attracting potential customers to stop by and find ways to engage the community and residents.

“…There’s also a lot of business for Livermore because we also want to create jobs there and hire locally,” Patel said. “There was a lot of traffic to attract that was originally going to Owensboro to buy all this product that we’re selling now….

“…A lot of people in the area were excited about it.”

Patel notes that customers can request products that the store may not have in stock in order to better serve them in the future through in-person means or by contacting them through Facebook.

Another notable feature of the store is an entertainment game center, which includes three Wild Cat Skill units that are currently used for gaming and customer enjoyment.

The company also offers a drive-thru, where customers can order products, which Patel says is an added convenience during the winter months.

Although Patel admits he hasn’t been able to prepare commercials or publicity for the new store as he had hoped, he is currently working to spread the word through a bigger online presence to attract more customers.

Still, Patel has been grateful for the support so far, including the inclusion of being one of the newest members of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

“…As long as we can help the community with better prices, that’s our main focus right now,” Patel said.

BigOStop Smoke Shop is currently open 8am-8pm Monday-Thursday and 8am-9pm Friday and Saturday.