Hookahs draw ire
Protest flyers have helped advertise new smoke shop

Owner Mario Rayyes steps outside the Santa Fe Smokeshop in Grants Thursday afternoon. The Santa Fe Smokeshop is causing uproar among community members who do not think a head shop should be in Grants. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

By Mike Marino
Cibola County Bureau

A detailed shot of a Turkish-style hookah being sold at the Santa Fe Smoke Shop in Grants. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

GRANTS — The city's newest business, The Santa Fe Smoke Shop on Santa Fe Avenue, opened it's doors just one month ago and has already caused quite a commotion.

A group of angry citizens spoke at the most recent Grants City Council meeting regarding items in the smoke shop such as waterpipes and other items that the group regards as drug paraphernalia. It has also been distributing a flyer to warn the local public about the smoke shop.

"Actually all this attention has increased my business by about 40 percent. I get people who come in now as new customers and everyday now I receive between 30 to 40 phone calls from other people saying they didn't know we were even here but they have seen all the articles and are now aware of us," manager Mario Rayyes said.

Although the business carries tobacco products as well as gift items including belt buckles, lighters, ball caps, knives and watches, the glass pipes and other paraphrenalia are the target of the group's protest.

Depending on local ordinances, these types of items are legal to sell as long as there is no residue attributable to drugs in the pipe at the time of it's sale.

The small blue flyer being distributed by the protesting group, claims the Santa Fe Smokeshop is selling drug paraphernalia to the community's children, but Rayyes disputes that contention.

"I have four signs on the outside and inside that clearly states, 'No One Under 18 Allowed,' and if a customer walks into my shop and he or she looks under 40 years old, I check ID. I try to protect the neighborhood and the underage children," Rayyes said.

Rayyes said his products have legal uses and he doesn't understand why he has been singled out by the group.

"You can go to any convenience store or retail store in the United States and if you wanted to buy the ingredients and products to make illegal drugs yourself, you can do it easily," he said.

Some of the community have come to his defense and have commented that Grants is expanding and needs new business in the area.

"I came in to just look around and see what cigarette flavors they have and decided to try the Smoky Joes," store customer Carlos Delgarito said.

The legality of the products sold in the shop seem to be of most concern.

"Everything in my shop is legal and used for tobacco only," Rayyes said, and he has a marketing plan for the group's blue flyers.

"Anyone who brings a flyer to me at the store will be getting a 20 percent discount on anything in the store except my major cigarette (brands)," Rayyes said.