Dean started the first Tobacco Alley in 2006 in Gladwin at 935 1/2 N State Street (M-18). The name came from the simple fact the store is situated in what could be called a slight alley.

A year after the Gladwin location, Sanford opened – this store was properly named Tobacco Alley Too. located at 2655 N. M-30 just north of US-10 and kitty corner from the Shell station and McDonalds.