Smoker Friendly

Smoker Friendly has become one of the more well-liked tobacco shops in Erie, and the reason comes up again and again when you ask around town: the people behind the counter. Regulars talk about staff who treat you like you belong there. One longtime shopper has been coming for almost three years and says they know him by name and even invite him to the employee Christmas party. Ask about Joe and folks will tell you he goes out of his way to help, and a woman named Maria (or Marial, as one grateful person remembered it) gets singled out for treating every customer with respect no matter how busy the place gets.

The shelves cover the essentials and then some. You'll find cigars, cigarettes, rolling papers, rollies, glass pipes and water pipes, plus butane, lighters, and a spread of smoking accessories. People who come in also grab snacks, drinks, candles, and incense, and there are anime posters on the wall for anyone who's into that. The store keeps things clean and organized, with lottery and a few skill machines rounding out the visit.

There's also lottery play if that's your thing. The word around Erie is that the prices here are hard to beat. More than one person swears they're the lowest in the entire city, and the general sense is that you get a wide selection without paying a premium. That combination of fair prices and a knowledgeable crew is what keeps people coming back.

We'll be straight with you: a few folks have felt the counter service slipped on a busy day or two, when a cashier seemed more wrapped up in conversation than the line. That's the exception, though, and the overwhelming take is that this is a friendly, easygoing shop where you can buy what you need or just stop in for a good conversation. For a tobacco shop in Erie with reasonable prices and staff who remember your name, this one earns its strong local reputation.