Big E Vapor Shops

For a time, Big E Vapor Shops was a significant name in the Wichita vaping community. With its distinctive pink and black branding, it grew from a single store into a multi-location chain that seemed poised for major expansion. Today, all its locations are permanently closed, leaving behind a complicated legacy. While many former customers recall a top-tier juice shop with exceptional service, the full story of its rise and dramatic fall is a cautionary tale of ambition, customer service friction, and a stunning criminal scandal at the ownership level.

The Core of the Business: A Premier Vape Juice Destination

The primary draw for Big E Vapor Shops was undoubtedly its intense focus on e-juice flavors. For its clientele, it was more than just a retail store; it was a destination. The shops boasted a massive inventory of over 150 pre-made flavors, catering to a wide spectrum of tastes. However, the service that truly set them apart and built a loyal following was their on-the-spot customization. Functioning much like a custom juice bar, staff members were known for their ability to work with customers, listening to their preferences to create a unique juice blend tailored specifically for them. This level of personalization was a significant differentiator in a competitive market.

Customers, particularly those new to vaping, consistently praised this aspect of the business. Reviews from its operational years highlight staff who were not only knowledgeable but also patient and willing to educate. They would explain the nuances of different devices and the composition of their e-liquids, helping many people transition away from traditional cigarettes. This educational approach fostered a welcoming environment and built strong customer loyalty. Adding to the appeal were the prices; many considered their house-made juices to be very inexpensive, encouraging repeat business.

This strategy was part of a deliberate business model. In a 2017 interview, co-owner Eldon "Big E" Simmons explained that the company would sometimes sell starter kits and hardware at or below cost. The goal was to get customers in the door and establish a relationship, knowing that the real, consistent revenue came from consumables like their signature vape juice, coils, and batteries. This model fueled a period of aggressive growth, with the company expanding to seven stores in the Wichita area and making plans to open hundreds more across the country.

Hardware and Policy: A Point of Contention

While the company excelled in the realm of consumables, its approach to hardware was a source of significant friction for some. The business model of treating hardware as a low-margin entry point may have contributed to a rigid and unforgiving policy on returns or exchanges. This is starkly illustrated by customer accounts of purchasing expensive new vape mods that failed within a day, only to be told the store would do nothing to help, even with a receipt. For a customer who just invested $100, this experience was enough to sour them on the brand permanently.

This created a jarring paradox in the customer experience. A person could be treated with immense care and patience while selecting a fresh juice blend, but then be met with a brick wall if a high-cost electronic device proved faulty. This inconsistency represented a critical flaw, undermining the trust and goodwill built by the frontline staff and potentially alienating the very new customers they worked so hard to attract.

The Unraveling: Ambition, Regulation, and Criminal Collapse

Behind the scenes of the bustling custom juice counters, the company was navigating serious challenges. Ownership expressed deep concern over potential federal regulations and actively opposed proposed state-level flavor bans, which they correctly identified as a potential "death sentence" for a business built almost entirely on its diverse vape juice selection. The rapid expansion, while ambitious, also carried immense risk, with one observer later noting the company "got way too big too fast."

However, the event that sealed the company's fate was not a market downturn or regulatory change, but a shocking crime. In April 2019, co-owner Vernon Wayne Brock was arrested by the FBI and charged in a federal murder-for-hire plot. According to federal court filings, Brock attempted to hire another business partner to murder a former employee with whom he'd had a relationship. The planned payment was a $5,000 check written from a Big E's Vapor Shop company account, thinly disguised as a "loan" in the memo line. The business partner who was solicited for the crime instead went to the authorities, leading to Brock's arrest.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The fallout from the scandal was swift and catastrophic. The public and shocking nature of the crime irrevocably damaged the brand's reputation. Following the arrest, the business entered a terminal decline. Anecdotal reports from the community suggest a complete operational collapse, with the company allegedly failing to pay employees and bills, leading to an inability to maintain inventory. The once-thriving e-juice store chain quickly crumbled, and all locations permanently ceased operations.

The legacy of Big E Vapor Shops is a complex one. It stands as an example of how to build a successful juice shop by focusing on product quality, customization, and customer education. It created products and an atmosphere that many customers genuinely loved. Yet, it is also a stark cautionary tale. It shows how a questionable hardware policy can create deep customer resentment and how unchecked ambition, combined with a devastating moral and criminal failure at the highest level of leadership, can annihilate a business, leaving employees without jobs and loyal customers searching for a new place to get their favorite custom juice.