Our Story
A POS born out of frustration — built with passion.
The Beginning
Kosta started his tech career young, receiving a Dell computer in 7th grade. He studied Computer Technology at Purdue University and earned a Master's in Systems Engineering. After 12 years at Lockheed Martin as a software engineer, he opened SMoKE Cigar Lounge in December 2013 while still working part-time at Lockheed, then left corporate life fully in 2014.
SMoKE Cigar Lounge
With investment from friends and labor from his best friend Joe, Kosta built a cigar lounge from the ground up. One week before opening, Joe asked about their POS system — prompting Kosta to research existing solutions. He found no retailers loved their current systems.
The Accidental POS
Kosta created a basic system "just to get us by" until the IPCPR trade show. After visiting every POS booth and finding no suitable option at the right price, he committed to developing his basic system into a real product.
TORO Is Born
A fellow store owner heard about the system and asked to try it. After seeing operational improvements, Kosta gave him free trial access. This marked TORO's beginning — a POS designed exclusively for tobacco retail's unique challenges and quirks.
The Journey
Started as software engineer at Lockheed Martin
Opened SMoKE Cigar Lounge (December 2013); created temporary POS while still part-time at Lockheed
First external retailer adopted the system
Rebranded to TORO; expanded nationally
Serves 85+ retailers nationwide, including W. Curtis Draper (est. 1887)
This is a POS written by a cigar retailer for cigar retailers. I wanted to stop wasting time on all the extra tasks of running a store.
See TORO in Action
Discover why 85+ tobacco retailers trust TORO to run their stores.
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