Since it was founded in 2013, Avail also has opened 102 retail stores in 12 states, which the company says makes it the largest wholly owned U.S. vape store chain. It has 31 stores in Virginia, including eight in the Richmond region.

As part of the deal, Avail also will sell six flavors of Charlie’s Chalk Dust e-liquids at its stores, along with about 65 of Avail’s own flavors — the first time Avail has placed another brand in its stores.

“We finally have a contract manufacturing client at the caliber that we felt was appropriate to place in our stores,” Rogers said. The contract includes making some Charlie’s Chalk Dust e-liquids for international distribution, he said.

Avail has about 70 employees at its Chesterfield headquarters and production site. With the new contract manufacturing, Rogers said he expects the company will hire about 10 more employees and add some equipment. Including its retail stores, Avail employs about 400 people.