In this episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather Brown sits down with John Kelly, the larger-than-life founder of Kelly’s Smoke Shop in Tustin.
From opening his tobacco shop at just 17, to becoming the youngest city councilman in Tustin at 24, John’s story is packed with history, politics, colorful characters, and a lifelong passion for tobacco culture.
He shares wild tales about the rise of clove cigarettes, the social hub his shop became, run-ins with California’s tax system, and why he always told customers to “Smoke ‘Em Easy."
This episode blends true crime with business battles, cultural history, and John’s unapologetically bold take on life, law, and legacy.
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