Help Ballantyne Tobacco and Vape Rebuild After a Violent Break-In

On Dec. 30th, 2025, at around 2am, our small business, Ballantyne Tobacco and Vape, was the victim of a violent and devastating break-in. Six individuals stole the vehicle of a local elderly woman and used it to ram directly into the front of our store, completely destroying the front door and much of the storefront itself. In a matter of moments, the place we consider our second home was left severely damaged.

Ballantyne Tobacco and Vape has proudly served our community since 2021. From the very beginning, our shop has grown and thrived entirely because of the incredible support of our customers. We have never relied on advertising and as such, our business has survived and succeeded purely through word-of-mouth, repeat customers, and the relationships we’ve built over the years. Many of our customers have been with us since the day we opened, and we are endlessly grateful for that loyalty.

Our store is run by a tight-knit team of four people: Tony, the owner; Mason, our main manager; Brian, the co-manager; and Sunjay, our trusted employee and friend. We are more than coworkers—we’re family. We pour our hearts into this shop every single day, and we take great pride in offering exceptional customer service and high-quality products. Our community has noticed, and our overwhelmingly positive reviews consistently mention how friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming we are.

We also take our responsibilities seriously. We strictly follow all state and federal laws and maintain a positive, cooperative relationship with local law enforcement. We respect and support the men and women who serve our community, and we do everything we can to operate with integrity.

The cost of these repairs is extensive with many not being covered by insurance due to the nature of our shop, but any amount raised will be incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated. The entire front of our store must be demolished and rebuilt, including both the exterior and interior front walls, windows, and the door. Electrical outlets and wiring connected to those walls will need to be professionally rewired once reconstruction is complete as well. We will also be installing protective cement posts outside to ensure nothing like this can happen again.

This goal also includes assistance with lost wages for our employees while the store is closed, as well as support for the time and labor we will personally be dedicating to rebuilding the shop. This fundraiser does not include reimbursement for stolen or damaged products. Every dollar raised will go directly toward rebuilding the store and supporting the staff who are sacrificing their time and income to help make that happen.

Ballantyne Tobacco and Vape is more than just a business to us; this shop is our livelihood, our passion, and a place we’ve built together with our community. Any donation, no matter the size, helps more than we can put into words. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this page means the world to us.

Thank you for your support, kindness, and belief in our small business. We look forward to reopening our doors as soon as possible and welcoming back our community to shop with us once again.

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The Ballantyne Tobacco and Vape Family