Republic Tobacco

Republic Tobacco LP is a multinational wholesaler, distributor, and retailer of tobacco, based in the Chicago suburb of Glenview, Illinois, United States.
Republic Tobacco is wholly owned by Republic Group, which includes the manufacturer affiliates of Top Tobacco, Republic Technologies: JOB and Odet-Cascadec-Bolloré cigarette papers, Altesse GmbH, H.T.H. Tabak, and Productos Technologicos Catalanes, as well as Republic Tobacco, representing a combined sales and distribution presence in more than 90 countries.
The company was founded by Donald Levin. Levin began with a small smoke shop called Adams Apple.
In 1969, Levin became the U.S. distributor for JOB rolling papers. He built the brand and used the profits to purchase the TOP Tobacco Factory & Brands from R. J. Reynolds in the early 1980s.
In July 2009, he also bought from Bolloré Papeteries du Léman and Papeteries des Vosges, two French paper mills specialized in thin papers.
He also purchased the Chicago Wolves sports team; produced many movies, including Maximum Overdrive.