Smoke shop hop

Atmosphere: White walls stretch out with a smattering of Bob Marley posters, while rows of elaborate glass water pipes stretch across two walls floor to ceiling. Hookah pipes and tobacco in a dizzying array of flavors take up the whole left-hand wall, as glass cases house blown glass hand pipes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Reggae music sets the mood.

Price Range: Described as the “Nike” of water pipes, the Pure brand comes in varying shades of frosted glass and sell for about $200 to $350, while the monstrous Biohazards go for $329. Figurine hand pipes come in the shapes of cats, chihuahuas, frogs and elephants, and cost around $30 a piece. Vaporizers run $100 to $700, depending on the size. Pipes also take form as gas masks, bowling pins, corn cobs and lipstick tubes ($12.99).

Extras: Hideaway cans ($20-$39.99) come in the form of Rock Star and Red Bull energy drinks, salt and pepper shakers, canisters of Coffee-mate and Country Time Lemonade. Scales ($20-$90) take the shape of CDs, matchbooks and cassette tapes. Grinders ($10-$80) masquerade as crowned skulls and grenades. StarBuzz hookah tobacco comes in orange, blueberry and fruit salad flavors, to name just a few; $9.99 a can. Dr. Green’s Agent X Unisex Synthetic Urine sells for $30. Also for sale: watches, rings, lighters, T-shirts, Swanky Dank boxer shorts and Swisher Sweets pipe tobacco.

Things to keep in mind: Soft glass pipes are environmentally friendly and made from recycled glass. Vaporizers burn out the impurities so you inhale vapor, not smoke. Synthetic urine had a shelf life of 2+ years. Current sales at Tower Smoke run from 10 to 50 percent off.

The Stuffed Pipe

Location: 2377 E. Shaw

Atmosphere: Brick walled entrance painted graffiti-style with psychedelic art: an alien in a blue suit smokes from a giant sea-colored water pipe amid floating dice, bubbles and mushrooms. Brick walls are lined floor-to-ceiling with water pipes of every make and model, glass hand pipes come in the shape of cuddly animals and a blow-up doll straddles a water jug in one corner.

Price Range: Tasty Puff tobacco flavoring goes for $3.50 a bottle. Hideaway cans (used to store the goods) are about $14. A flashlight keychain pipe is $8. Wild Berry brand fragrance oils cost $6 a bottle.

Extras: Scales disguised as CDs, ashtrays, iPod cases and cigarette packs; the aforementioned hideaway cans, masquerading as cans of Nestea and Campbell’s Soup. Book titles include “Marijuana Cooking” and “The Big Book of Buds”; there’s the “Ultimate Grow” DVD set; Juicy Jay’s flavored rolling papers; Wild Berry brand incense; and little baggies emblazoned with Hershey’s kisses.

Things to keep in mind: Hideaway cans are heavy, but do not shake; they do not really contain liquid. Phat Manz Alley accepts SPCA donations, both monetary and edible.
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