Discover Mac's Legacy

​Founded by Glenn & Ruth McManus ("Mac" for short), Mac's Smoke Shop has been a fixture in downtown Palo Alto for over 85 years. The original shop was located just across the street from its current location and featured cigars, its own speciality loose-leaf tobacco blend, a candy counter, and even barbershop chairs in the back! With a broad selection of newspapers, paperback books, and publications from all over the world, the shop was very popular with locals from all over the peninsula as well as professors and faculty from the nearby Stanford University.

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Glenn & Ruth sold the store to their son, Alfred ("Al"), when he returned from his service in WWII. Al and his wife Kathleen operated the store while raising their 2 daughters: Diana and Beverly. Throughout those years the store remained open from the early morning to late in the evening 7 days a week, yet Al still found the time to become a private pilot and champion skeet shooter! He retired and sold the store to Tom Del Sarto and Bob Duggun in 1979.

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Mac's owners continue to operate the iconic storefront, expanding the selection of products available as our customers' needs change. But one thing remaings constant: Mac's is committed to keeping the family feel that we've been known for all these years - that will NEVER  change!