Tobacco Station helps to meet supply demand in Mountain Grove area

In the business world, where there is demand, there is supply. 
The demand for nicotine has been around for thousands of years. The notoriously addictive chemical found in tobacco dates back as early as 1400 BC, when it was used primarily for ceremonial and social functions. With the advent and recent popularization of vaping devices and smokeless tobacco, it’s no surprise that this demand is higher than ever–and the supply along with it. 
This is evident in opportunistic businesses setting up shop everywhere, from concrete jungles to small towns. One such location recently opened in Mountain Grove called the Tobacco Station. 
The aptly named business is owned and operated by Erick Bodia, an Indian expatriate whose lived in the United States for 15 years. Bodia is a businessman who says he focuses solely on the customer’s needs.
“I’ve been a business owner for over 10 years,” he said, adding that he came to the United States with an entrepreneur’s mindset. 
Bodia is confident in Tobacco Station, which opened in May,  and asserts it has been successful thus far. The store offers a wide variety of tobacco products, including vapes (a great selection of disposable ones), cigarettes, and cigars, as well as cannabis-derived THC and Delta-8 products. 
“We also sell snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,” Bodia said. 
He is aware that there are many competitors in the tobacco-selling arena. According to the FasTrax website, one study found that between 2000 and 2017, the number of smoke shops in the United States increased from 7,226 to 14,690–more than doubled. 
But this doesn’t worry Mr. Bodia. A self-assured man of few words, he prefers to stay in his lane.
“I cannot comment on other stores,” he said. “My business should be my only focus.”
Tobacco Station is located at 929 N. Main St. in Mountain Grove and is open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. every day (except Sunday, when the hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. For questions, call 417-926-3706.