E-cigarette stores opening in Knoxville

Saffire Vapor, electronic cigarettes seller is opening stores in Turkey Creek and Norwood. Image by Saffire Vapor.

Saffire Vapor, a leading Tennessee-based seller and distributor of electronic cigarettes, today announced an expansion into Knoxville with plans to open two stores on Monday, April 21, 2014.

One store will be in West Knoxville at the Turkey Creek shopping area at 11519 Parkside Dr., the other in Northwest Knoxville at 6632 Clinton Highway.

Regular store hours will be 9 am-9 pm Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 pm on Sundays.

Saffire Vapor is an online and retail seller and distributor of premium-quality ‘high-powered’ electronic cigarettes, eliquid, and accessories. A company spokesman said the Knoxville stores will be their seventh and eighth retail outlets.

Saffire Vapor opened its first store in December, 2012 in Murfreesboro. Since then the Tennessee chain has added stores in Cool Springs, Clarksville, Cookeville, Franklin, Hendersonville, Smyrna, and now Knoxville. Saffire Vapor also has a substantial online business at www.saffirevapor.com.

CEO Robert Arnold, of Chapel Hill, TN, said he decided to open stores in Knoxville because of the city’s high market opportunity.

“Knoxville is a great market with lots of e-cig enthusiasts already there,” he said. “Obviously opening two stores on the same day shows our confidence in the local market plus our ability to serve it.”

The electronic cigarette industry has recorded explosive growth since its introduction to U.S. consumers in 2007. Electronic cigarette sales nearly doubled in 2013 and are expected to double again this year to $2.5 billion, according to Forbes business magazine.

Arnold said Saffire Vapor distinguishes itself from other e-cig retailers with high-quality products and in-store service and expertise.

“All of our retail associates are trained in how to use and maintain e-cigs and accessories,” he said. “Our staff is always prepared to demonstrate the technology to new customers and provide expert advice to returning customers.”

Saffire Vapor prides itself on personalized attention for every customer, said Arnold. Whether familiar with the product or not, customers are provided with information before making a purchase decision, he said.

For more information, visit Saffire Vapor’s website at saffireecigs.com and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/saffirevapor.

Published April 13, 2014