McCoy Thompson, center holding the scissors, is surrounded by his family, friends, staff and members of the Vandalia Area Chamber of Commerce, as he cuts the ribbon to signal the opening of the Magic Dragon Vape and CBD store in the shopping center it shares with County Market. He and his business partner, Hunter Smith, opened a Magic Dragon store on the square in Bowling Green in November of 2022.
Since graduating from high school, Thompson has started a number of businesses in the Bowling Green area. He owns and operates his own landscape company, which also does snow removal, he opened a fireworks business two years ago, and he’s co-owner of the restaurant, A Taste of Philly, with his parents, off Bus. Hwy. 54 in Bowling Green.
Thompson said he was excited to expand his store’s franchise to Vandalia. He is glad to be adding another business to the Vandalia area.
Like the Bowling Green store, everything in it is 100% legal, and no one under the age of 21 is allowed in the shop.
When he opened the Magic Dragon in Bowling Green, he said, he was concerned about introducing tobacco and vaping products to the community, but he knew there were many people who already use these products but did not have place nearby to buy what they needed.
He noted that customers who earn points for buying products in the store could redeem them either at the Vandalia or Bowling Green location.
For this opening, Thompson said, he and the staff were able to get a good bit of inventory up on the shelves.
“Much more than what we had for Bowling Green’s opening,” he added.
He and the others are still working to improve the store’s interior.
Brittany Penrod, who is one of the store’s managers, showed off what would be come ‘The Dragon’s Den’.
Those who came to the grand opening last week were treated to food and beverages and given tours of the shop.