Last week I spent two days solely on vaping. On Wednesday, I took ECF supplier thecatspajamas on a tour of the LA vape shops. He started a new company called Envision Vapor and is trying to get his glass vaping tips in stores. They're beautiful products that are well made, so he had an easy time generating interest. The stops include Planet Vape, Viper Vapor, The Vapor-Mart, and Vaping Ape LA.
On Thursday, I went down to Irvine to film a few features at Five Pawns. This e-liquid company has been getting a lot of heat for its pricing, but it wouldn't if you understood its business model. While the company sells its juices -- which are quite tasty, btw -- online, the focus is on retail. Since it doesn't want to undercut its retail prices, it used the same pricing that you'll find in stores. While $27.50 for a 30ml bottle is expensive for an online price, it's inline with retail prices. I've seen mediocre e-liquids go for $25 for 30ml at retail. Considering the premium ingredients and packaging Five Pawns uses, $27.50 is a reasonable retail price.
The company also has a beautiful tasting room, which reminded me a visiting a vineyard. It's a comfortable room that's full of Shepard Fairey prints. In addition to the five Five Pawns e-liquids currently available, you can sample the Reserve Line that's steeped in wood barrels and flavors that aren't yet available in store.
Full vaping road trip diary here.
