(Image: World of Smoke & Vape)

Thanks to a CHS reader for the picture and tip!

There will be a head shop in the heart of the Pike/Pine nightlife district. Be careful with your lungs.

Fast-growing, Hollywood, Florida-based franchise World of Smoke & Vape is joining the block neighboring LGBTQ art, retail, and community space Queertique and legendary neighborhood lesbian bar The Wildrose.

The stretch is familiar with big chains in alternative markets — the below-sidewalk commercial space was once home to the neighborhood’s Castle Megastore sex shop.

Construction permits and business filings show the new shop is owned by the experienced franchise entrepreneur who also opened a World of Smoke & Vape on Queen Anne last year. Ameen Babul has also been a successful operator of Subway sandwich shop franchises.

On E Pike, the new shop will be in the core of the area’s nightlife happenings in a subterranean commercial space that had been empty since the sex shop chain’s exit. Neighbor Queertique from Tyler Huang opened in 2024 as a gallery and space for for queer creativity, commerce, and community.

Its other neighbor in the Winston Apartments building, The Wildrose, celebrated 40 years on Capitol Hill in 2024. Early this year, the long-running lesbian bar marked the sad passing of co-owner Shelley Brothers.

Inside the Queen Anne shop (Image: World of Smoke & Vape)

The intersection of nightlife and smoking hasn’t faded. World of Smoke & Vape claims it is in the middle of a $11 billion a year industry in its pitches to potential franchise owners. It has focused its rollout to Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Washington after its founding in Florida by CEO Sohail Mitha in 2017.

“The typical location is 1,500–2,500 square feet of retail space, and most franchise owners lease their properties,” its franchise pitch reads. “We strive to locate near targeted demographics and within proximity to major thoroughfares. We can co-locate in multi-tenant buildings or stand-alone sites. Locating near other businesses that cater to a similar high-end customer base is always a plus!”

There are now more than 50 World of Smoke & Vape stores in the United States — with one more now joining the clouds of nicotine, kratom, and cannabis over Pike/Pine.

World of Smoke & Vape will open soon at 1021 E Pike. Learn more at worldofsmokenvape.com.

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