The Story Of Gord's Smoke Shop

Gord's Smoke Shop is Central Alberta's Smokin'N'Tokin' Superstore. Gord's is an 18+ business that proudly displays all tobacco, accessories and 1000's of cannabis culture goodies! GSS carries many items for the non-smoker as well, giftware, bath &  body products and incense to name a few. We're More Than Tobacco!

The story of Gord's begins in 1996 when Gord and Jane Bellingham purchased the aptly named Gord's Smoke Shop. Both were looking for a new adventure after retiring from their government careers. Gord and Jane were the 3rd owners. The original Gord's opened in 1981 when Bower Mall was built. Their daughter Andee joined the team part time at the beginning then full time a few years later to help run an eventually take over the operations of the shop. Andee's husband and daughters have all spent time working at GSS over the years.

In 1996, Gord's was your typical smoke shop...cigars, cigarettes, tobacco and accessories, magazines, newspapers, men's gifts and decor. Six months after buying the business, cigar sales took off worldwide, making them more popular than ever. A walk in humidor was built to increase inventory and keep up with demand. In 1999 Gord's added a Tickemaster outlet to attract the non-smoker. An important milestone occurred in 2000. A small selection of bongs and cannabis pipes made their way onto a shelf in a corner of the store...the rest is history!

Over the next 8 years, cannabis accessories were in high demand. When Sears was built Gord's moved to a larger space down the hall and Gord's became a fixture in Red Deer's Bower Mall. In 2008, provincial tobacco legislation required tobacco to be hidden from view. So the great wall of Gord's was built! This fortress housed Gord's until 2013 when they escaped the mall and moved into a new location across the street. With 3 times more space at the new shop, the selection of products expanded like never before.

Sadly, Gord passed shortly after the new store opened. He was often there to chat with the team and customers throughout the years. Every time he left he would yell out "Make lots of sales but have fun doing it!"

In 2018, with impending cannabis legalization, becoming a cannabis dispensary was discussed. In the end, it was decided to keep doing what we have done best since 1996...providing a large selection of tobacco, accessories and Everything You Need But The Weed!

Early 2020 demanded that Gord's pivot, like the rest of the world. And so a full online store was launched with the option to have your order picked up in store, delivered in Red Deer, or shipped Canada-wide.

Customer service and product knowledge is our #1 priority. If we do not have what you are looking for just reach out and one of the helpful Gord's Ninjas will do their best to find it for you.

Thank you for reading our story and supporting our small, local business.

Happy Smokin'N'Tokin'!