New Brick and Mortar 30 minutes outside of Baltimore

[ObsceneJesster]

I just wanted to let my fellow local vapors know that a new Brick and Mortar opened in Cranberry Mall in Westminster, MD. The guy has a Lava Tubes, Ego's and V2 808's along with every flavor from Pink Spot available but I will warn you. His prices are a little on the high side and he doesn't really know what he's talking about.

The Good : Lots of flavors from Pink Spot and some other company I've never heard of. He lets you test all of the flavors as long as you have a atomizer. If you don't have a atomizer he puts out 6 test flavors a week. He puts them in carto's and you use a rubber condom on top of them so you don't get germs from others. Lastly, it's local so if you're i na bind you can go grab some juice.

The Bad: The guy is a bull ....ter. He tried telling me that all of his Pink Spot flavors were designed by him when they are the same exact ones you see online. His prices are on the high side. He chargers $100 for a Lavatube Mini and $13 for a 12ml bottle of juice.

 

[Hottody]

Well, brick and motar is great! We have one in Southern Ca, called E-Cig City in Laguna Beach! Love that place! Remember, these guys are going to have a much higher overhead so $100.00 for a Lava Tube is reasonable. As an example, if the dealer buys for 50 bucks, they must sell for 100 if they are going to stay in business for any length of time. I don't mind paying a premium for the convienance! That being said, these guys still need to be competitive!

Anyway, great news for many people that will be introduced to vaping through brick and motor. Also a nice convienance for many who want to touch and feel before buying! At the end of the day, this is a tough business so hopefully this guy gets up to speed quickly and is honest, personable and knowledgable! Thank you for sharing!

 

[ObsceneJesster]

Well, brick and motar is great! We have one in Southern Ca, called E-Cig City in Laguna Beach! Love that place! Remember, these guys are going to have a much higher overhead so $100.00 for a Lava Tube is reasonable. As an example, if the dealer buys for 50 bucks, they must sell for 100 if they are going to stay in business for any length of time. I don't mind paying a premium for the convienance! That being said, these guys still need to be competitive!

Anyway, great news for many people that will be introduced to vaping through brick and motor. Also a nice convienance for many who want to touch and feel before buying! At the end of the day, this is a tough business so hopefully this guy gets up to speed quickly and is honest, personable and knowledgable! Thank you for sharing!

I understand he has more overhead. The guy is not honest though. He tried bull....ting me stating that his Pink Spot E-Juice was somehow custom and better than the stuff you get online. He also isn't knowledgeable. He made statements such as steeping doesn't change the flavor and shaking the juice is not required. I just rolled with the punches as I didn't want to be confrontational.

In your honest opinion, do you really think this is a hard market for local brick and mortars? There isn't a lot of them so I would imagine, if you are the first store in a high traffic area, you are most likely going to do well. There are still a ton of people out there who do not like ordering online along with the foot traffic you get from impulse buyers wanting to quit smoking on a whim. This guys store is in a very small mall and while I was there for 15 minutes, he must have had 30 people walk into his store with half of them buying something. I think local brick and mortars are going to do VERY WELL within the next few years as long as they are the first in the area.

 

[Hottody]

Yes...I think any buisiness especially brick and motor is challenging! I have seen many ecig booths in the malls vanish after being in business for a short time! Sounds like this guy is in a good location with a small space so he may do well! At the end of the day, the success will depend on the owner, his staff and ability to captivate repeat business! if he is full of sh_ _...he may have issues, as many customers won't put up with it!

I know the successful shop in Ca took about a year before turning a profit and not putting everything back into the business! That being said, if I were to open a business... the ecig business if done correctly is one to consider and embrace because the market growth potential is huge!

That being said, dealing with these Chinese companies and all the expenses involved can be a real challenge! Those that succeed love it and are not in it for the quick score!

 

[ObsceneJesster]

That all makes perfect sense. Now you have me second guessing. My wife and I were thinking about opening up a e-cig store for various reasons. We figured it was one of the only things left that hasn't saturated the local market. The only one that exists in the surrounding areas is some rip-off kiosk at my local mall. You know, that company named "Smoking Everywhere". They sell two 510 batteries with a charger and 3 packs of pre-filled carto's for $250. We figured a true vape shop would be a big hit in our area. You are right. The market growth potential is monstrous. The one thing I am worried about is the feds. Nobody really knows what's going to happen. A major reason for people converting is cost and the feds could very well close the gap between e-cigs and analogs.

 

[Hottody]

I think we will be ok with the Feds! Blu Cigs just sold for 135 million to Lorillard Tobacco which should be a good indicator that the industry will be solvent for years to come! We will likely see some federal legislation in respect to e-liquid and the manufacturing process to ensure safety for the consumer!

I do think a brick and motor shop is a good idea, but only if one can support the operation for a year or more without taking a profit! Good luck, and enjoy your Sunday!