Jump to full article: Anderson (SC) Independent-Mail, 2004-06-28
Author: Wendy Weinhold Independent-Mail June 28, 2004
Intro: PENDLETON -- A Florida-based company plans to buy Anderson Tobacco and bring the cash-strapped cigarette manufacturing company back online.
When Joe Smolik and Rick Riggs opened shop in December 2002 in the former Ampac building off U.S. 76 in Pendleton, they had big plans for Anderson Tobacco's future as a low-cost option for smokers. . . .
The company's Savannah cigarettes now can be found from Tennessee to Maine, Mr. Riggs said. They're available for around $15 a carton at local convenience stores and they can be found in all 100-plus of the state's Piggly Wiggly grocery stores.
Mr. Riggs said the company plans to focus its growth in the New England states where high taxes have sent name brand cigarette prices soaring and states have equalized the cheap cigarette market by cracking down on companies that were evading required contributions to the tobacco settlement agreement.
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