The list of local vendors is growing pretty fast by me. Three opened in Staten Island this year so far. I"m not counting those that have opened in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as that would take me all day. I've been to all three on Staten Island though. One seems to be great for juice, however what they have set up for actual testing of the juice is just around 2% of what they carry. They're mainly a head shop, or at least started out that way. Their e-cigarette section seems to be quickly taking up the rest of the shop though. They didn't have a tasting bar at all when they first opened. Also, they were mainly selling over priced clones in the beginning. They've since reduced the price on the clones, and as they sell out they have been replacing them with genuine gear. Unfortunately however, along with the better gear, they seem to be getting a bit snobby. They really only bother taking their time with clients who cloud chase. They'll take their time with me, as I can at least talk the talk because of this forum, and I can tell they're hoping to make some nice sales from me. I've only purchased juice though, and it'll likely stay that way.
The second shop to open is mainly geared towards beginner vapers, which is fine as the head shop filled with advanced gear is just down the road I guess. Thing is, that beginner stuff is HUGELY overpriced, and the staff is telling fibs on what it's capable of. They have a ton of different cigalike kits from various vendors, and all the usual lies from those vendors are plastered to their walls and display cases. No way that many of those cigalikes last as long as this vendor is claiming. Further, they're also as snooty about their gear as the shop down the road, although they cater to customers at the opposite end of the spectrum. Actually, a bit more snooty. It isn't that they ignore the more advanced vapers. They're downright rude. The guy who owns the place is a middle aged man who looks at those using larger then ego sized mods as druggies, and the woman who works there pushed nothing but a Vapour Couture kit on me. Oh, and a very overpriced, blinged out ego kit when that failed.
The most recent one to open is the one closest to me, and the one with the most potential I think. Friendly, welcoming owner. Carries everything from mech mods and drippers to ego starter kits. While the selection for both juice and gear still has some growing to do, you can tell that it will continue to grow. The owner was genuinely curious about the gear anyone was using when they came in if they were already vaping, looking for ideas to grow his own selection. He vaped himself, as does his college aged son who works with him. His son and his friends all seem to be into cloud chasing, but the owner himself is kind of middle of the road and spends some time with both regulated and mech mods. It's the largest shop out of them all, has a great lounge area, and a pool table. The only thing I don't like is the crowd. The place is getting really busy, but really, where else is anyone going to go on Staten Island considering the alternatives? The snooty places aren't doing themselves any favors.
There were none to be found. They just all started poping up about two years ago.
