Dean and Mari have lived in the area for over 18 years.
Dean started the first Tobacco Alley in 2006 in Gladwin at 935 1/2 N State Street (M-18).
The name came from the simple fact the store is situated in what could be called a slight alley.
A year after the Gladwin location, Sanford opened - this store was properly named Tobacco Alley Too. located at 2655 N. M-30 just north of US-10 and kitty corner from the Shell station and McDonalds.
West Branch came shortly after and is located at 514 E. Houghton Ave. Directly across from Walgreens and Rite Aid. All three stores are open 7 days with slightly different hours.
Dean and Mari have always believed that the customer is an extended part of the business family - everyone will always be treated with the utmost respect and kindness. They train each employee that they are to treat whomever is on the other side of the counter the way they would expect to be treated.