There are three shops in Erie. So far, I've been to two of them.
The first I've been to is Vapor Cabana at the All Season's Marketplace in the Millcreek Mall Complex. For All Seasons being such a dump, this place actually looks nice. The "store" itself is enclosed with walls resembling a hut and it is a bit dark in said hut, but it kinda adds to the attempted atmosphere, to be fair.
I bought what I was told was an eGo twist-c starter kit, which came with a twist battery, plastic clearomizer, a plastic drip tip, and a usb charger. I additionally purchased an eGo-t battery as my backup. Upon coming home and reading a bit more on the forum here, I quickly figured out that the kit I bought is not a true eGo. Additionally, I find that I have to "babysit" my battery when it is charging, as the charger doesn't "know" when to quit.
She also gave me a bottle of juice, proclaiming she "makes all of her juices herself". Picturing either an operation in her kitchen or in the dirty airsoft area at All Seasons (which they also own), I tossed the juice in the garbage on my way out.
The owner did seem knowledgeable, but I'm a total newb. Reading here over the course of just a week, it is already clear that she was (at best) proficient at the "front talk". I probably would have still bought even if she'd have been forthcoming with the fact that I was buying a knockoff but the misrep of the product will keep me from returning to that particular establishment.
The day after visiting Vapor Cabana, I happened upon the Hippie & the Hound Vapor Lounge on 24th & Peach. I spent about an hour talking with Scottie (the owner). I'm definitely a fan of his store's concept. He serves coffee & lets patrons sample different flavors and try out different equipment. My understanding is that his establishment is dog friendly as well, so the wife and I will surely be in for some coffee with the dog in tow.
At Hippie and the Hound, I sampled about ten different flavors and walked out of there with a few 15ml, 24mg Jazz branded "USA Tobacco" juices. According to Scottie, Jazz is a local company. The flavor of the juice hit the spot I was looking for out of that particular juice.
While the juice was what I was looking for at the time, I'll probably order my juice online (ie - MBV) - but in terms of actual equipment, I'll surely give this guy the bulk of my business going forward. He seemed knowledgeable beyond the typical "front talk" and spent an hour or so chatting with me. Definitely an enjoyable trip and I'd highly recommend stopping in to check his place out.
To my pleasant surprise, my wife dropped by Presque Isle Vapor Co. (3211 W 12th St) to check that place out. It is closer to home and it was a very kind gesture, considering she is not quite "onboard" with my new habit/hobby. She came home with a glass container full of "Marlboro" flavored juice (24mg). While NOTHING tastes like a Marlboro, I do like the flavor better than that of Jazz's USA tobacco. I also probably like the glass container better than Jazz's plastic counterpart. I'm not a fan of the dropper though, as it is a bit oversized to refill properly. I've refilled twice and both times, I both overfilled and flooded the tube. That aside, I do plan on dropping in to check this place out, as it is a mere few minutes from my house.