In October, I stopped by The Vapor Spot, a vapor bar in Los Angeles. The bar lets vapers try out different hardware and e-liquids. Many people buy their gear and juices online, often relying on message boards and reviews for information. While recommendations can be really useful, nothing beats being able to try out different vaping devices and sample different juices with your own mouth. This is what The Vapor Spot offers.
Last week, RPadholic N8R and I spent a few hours at the store. Like I mentioned in October, the environment is really cozy, like a mom-and-pop record store. The vibe is friendly, the decor is fun, and I absolutely loved the ’70s soul music in the background. I watched JJ and two of his staffers work with customers. They provided accurate information on hardware and sharp recommendations on e-liquids. As many of you know, I hate the retail experience provided by companies like Best Buy and GameStop. It was almost shocking to watch a store staffed by friendly people making intelligent recommendations.
Obviously, The Vapor Spot’s prices are higher than what you can find online; the store has to pay for retail space, utilities, and staff, after all. However, there’s something to be said about the service and having a place where you can hang out with other vapers. With Internet orders, a lot of people are going in blind or with second-hand information. Like many vapers, I’ve bought e-cigs and juices that I ended up not liking. The Vapor Spot helps people avoid those purchases. It’s a great place to hang out, learn more about vaping gear, and sample great juices from top vendors.
In my interview with JJ, we discussed:
- What kind of services The Vapor Spot Offers
- How the store competes with the numerous online vendors in vaping
- The company’s Rock ‘N Roll-themed e-liquids (Elvis, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix), including hints on the upcoming Freddie Mercury juice
- The different hardware the store offers
- The different juice vendors the company works with
Check out the interview when you have a chance and let me know what you think (please!)
