CHICAGO store to try & buy?

[mabvap]

Hi all. I'm very new to vaping and have only ever used a disposable (one, my first, a Vapur Cherry Bomb). I'm in Chicago for a few days (from Vancouver), until June 11, 2013, and am wondering if there is a store where I can go to try (or at least handle) and buy different systems. I've found a few on the web: Modern Vapor, 21 Century Smoking, Chi-town Vapors, Smoque ... but they all seem to have a limited range: seemingly their own brand of e-cigs and juice. I'm looking for somewhere that has a variety of competing brands that I can look at and try before deciding what I really like. Does such a place exist?

fwiw, I don't want nicotine or a tobacco flavour. All the starter kits seem to be tobacoo-based. I'm an ex-smoker who misses the ritual, but not the taste. Very much enjoying the Vapur, though it seems to be not well reviewed. I notice some people talk about mixtures that give a burn on the back of the throat -- I want no burn! no coughing, just a nice, quiet flavourful ritual.

Thoughts?

 

[VapeDentist]

Try smoque - was in Chicago for a convention and they were great. They have a lounge where u can try all of their flavors - they are really nice as well. I also picked up a sigelei zmax when I was there as well. Always try to support the b&m shops when I can. If u hit one place up go there....the have some decent juices as well.... Hope this helps.... Let me know how it works out

 

[Wolfie419914]

there is 2 stores call Cignot in chicago that had samples out of all the ejuice they offer.

 

[VapeDentist]

Hi all. I'm very new to vaping and have only ever used a disposable (one, my first, a Vapur Cherry Bomb). I'm in Chicago for a few days (from Vancouver), until June 11, 2013, and am wondering if there is a store where I can go to try (or at least handle) and buy different systems. I've found a few on the web: Modern Vapor, 21 Century Smoking, Chi-town Vapors, Smoque ... but they all seem to have a limited range: seemingly their own brand of e-cigs and juice. I'm looking for somewhere that has a variety of competing brands that I can look at and try before deciding what I really like. Does such a place exist?

fwiw, I don't want nicotine or a tobacco flavour. All the starter kits seem to be tobacoo-based. I'm an ex-smoker who misses the ritual, but not the taste. Very much enjoying the Vapur, though it seems to be not well reviewed. I notice some people talk about mixtures that give a burn on the back of the throat -- I want no burn! no coughing, just a nice, quiet flavourful ritual.

Thoughts?

Also - the smoque web site isn't representative of the shop. They have tons of egos, ciga likes and even high end mods....they helped lots of noobs get started when I was there -spent like 2 hours sampling juices- I DIY my own juices so I was sharing stories with their resident mixologist - they know their stuff - don't waste your time with some of the other places - some are head shops and tobacco shops - waste of time IMHO - trust me - if u intend to - you will leave with a vaping setup that is right for you and good juices you have previously sampled at the vape bar - these guys have the right formula

 

[VapeDentist]

Btw I liked champapple, mountains of the dew, cherry cola, and their root beer,

 

[Amirite]

Hotvapes, corner of Milwaukee and Wabansia in Wicker Park.

 

[SkyGirl33]

Theres a place in Volo, IL and also another in in Lake Zurich, IL - about an hour and change from the city...... They both have a wide selection, and I know that the staff are fantastic. In Volo, you can get all your juice and supplies (you name it, they prob have it) on hand in the shop ----- and they have a wide variety..... But keep in mind, their juice is made to order and will need to steep. In Lake Zurich, they have their own (pre-steeped) juices and a large selection gear as well.

 

[Amirite]

By Chicago, I think you mean Cook County north of the Eisenhower, correct?

 

[serenity21899]

Theres a place in Volo, IL and also another in in Lake Zurich, IL - about an hour and change from the city...... They both have a wide selection, and I know that the staff are fantastic. In Volo, you can get all your juice and supplies (you name it, they prob have it) on hand in the shop ----- and they have a wide variety..... But keep in mind, their juice is made to order and will need to steep. In Lake Zurich, they have their own (pre-steeped) juices and a large selection gear as well.

Volo is an hour from Chicago, although I go there a lot. What is the name of the store in Lake Zurich, please?

 

[serenity21899]

Still a bit far, in Northbrook by you could try them.
Vapor4Life

 

[serenity21899]

By Chicago, I think you mean Cook County north of the Eisenhower, correct?

Since they are from Canada, I wouldn't send them too much out of Chicago, but really for such a big city, there aren't many. However, I will take you HotVapes suggestion. Thanks.

 

[mabvap]

THANKS everyone! I will try Smoque (and yes it was their website that led me to believe they have very little) as it is not too far.

The ones that are out of town I will have to skip, but you've all been very helpful!

 

[Amirite]

Since they are from Canada, I wouldn't send them too much out of Chicago, but really for such a big city, there aren't many. However, I will take you HotVapes suggestion. Thanks.

HotVapes staff is fairly knowledgeable. I hear the shop in Lincoln Park is absurdly overpriced.

 

[Flyer]

Volo is an hour from Chicago, although I go there a lot. What is the name of the store in Lake Zurich, please?

American Electronic Cigarettes. They are on Rand Rd next to the Home Depot (north side of Rand). Good shop. I believe all of their juices are 70/30 of various nic contents, pre made as some else pointed out. Helpful staff.

 

[serenity21899]

Thank you. I finally found the info on it, but they don't have a website I could find. I am in that area occasionally, so it is not out of my way to at least go check it out.

 

[SkyGirl33]

Was just there a couple of days ago, its Advance electronic cigarette. 700 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047

American Electronic Cigarettes. They are on Rand Rd next to the Home Depot (north side of Rand). Good shop. I believe all of their juices are 70/30 of various nic contents, pre made as some else pointed out. Helpful staff.

 

[mabvap]

Hello all,
I went to Smoque this afternoon, and they were very helpful and nice. I took a couple of friends, and the three of us tried probably all of their flavours between us. I came away with a nice kit and 5 flavours: Red Bully (which we all agreed was the best!), Peppermint candy (which was surprisingly super-nice), Peach bite (which is exactly as it says: peachy, but with an odd "bite" at the end), Fruit Cube, and Cinnapear. As you can see I have a sweet tooth. None of the flavours I tasted were awful. The first one I tried was "Tropical - something" and tasted exactly like a Mai Tai, and was a little odd for that. Root Beer is astonishingly realistic Root Beer. Vanilla Custard was good, but cloying - the kind of thing that I imagined could make one feel a little nauseous after a while. And Spearmint Gum tasted exactly like that - only after someone else has chewed it first, which was disturbing. I didn't try any of the tobacco flavours though there were quite a few; one of them apparently tasted like Camels. One of my friends also came away with a kit and 5 flavours, of which I can only remember 2: the Red Bully and Smoked Port, which he really liked.

They were surprisingly short of the pure fruits (Grape, Cherry, etc.). I was really hoping for Orange; apparently they're brewing an Orange Crush right now. I'm so disappointed it wasn't ready for today.

So thanks all for the advice!

 

[HauntedMyst]

CigTech's is in Bartlett or Hanover Park. They let you try all their juices as well. The staff is great.

 

[Amirite]

Where are these places? Bartlett? Lake Zurich? Last I checked, Chicago was still 312/773.

 

[mabvap]

Well yes, indeed. That's why I went to Smoque, which is at
Smoque Vapor Lounge
2900 N Broadway
Chicago, Il. 60657

Well within Chicago city limits.