Our History

Klafter’s is a fourth-generation family-owned business that began in 1897 in Youngstown, Ohio.

Sam Klafter emigrated from Hungary in the late 1800s and worked for the Frankle Brothers cigar shop in Youngstown Ohio, eventually opening some of his own stores with partners in Canton, East Liverpool, Warren and ultimately in New Castle, PA where Klafter’s is headquartered in 2020.

Morris Storch, Sam Klafter’s nephew, took over running Klafter’s in 1943 upon Sam’s death. In 1963, Morris’ son-in-law Lee Silverman took over Klafter’s after Morris’ death.

Klafter’s opened its first retail tobacco outlet called Cigarette Express in Boardman, OH in 1992. Klafter’s continued to open locations throughout Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Eventually, Klafter’s renamed all of its stores to Smoker Friendly and Cigar Express.

Randy Silverman, Lee and Judy Silverman’s son, entered the business in 1993. Lee and Judy Silverman along with Randy and his wife Renee Silverman continue to run Klafter’s today.