Many people often wonder: Where do smoke shops come from? Did the stork bring them? Did Thor spawn them from Mjolnir? Did they magically appear near every major college in the U.S, providing smokers with beautiful glass and the husky smell of incense?
Well, in a way, yes (not to the stork part, of course). Smoke shops originated and gained traction just like most other noteworthy movements: in the 60’s. The 60’s brought the U.S pretty much everything cool. Smoke shops were a great achievement of the 60’s, providing a place to house underground comix, underground newspapers, and growing discontent with the system & smoking supplies. The first smoke shops were all in areas with groovy college-aged patrons who were in need of a bit of alternative fun: San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles and Old Town in Chicago. We’re pretty sure that tie-dyed shirts, flower headbands and VW vans came free with every hand pipe sold, but try not to quote us on that.
Smoke Shops held the very important distinction of housing counterculture wares that were otherwise shunned and hidden. Underground comix and underground newspapers played a large part in their appeal and were filled with smutty, druggy cartoons that were definitely for adult eyes only. Artists like Robert Crumb and Gilbert Shelton’s comix were full of the good stuff and were considered too extreme for mainstream papers. Smoke shops were glad to house them, of course. Counterculture in general was a welcomed and important aspect to smoke shop businesses and owners.
Unfortunately, the popularity of smoke shops didn’t survive the aging of their baby boomer patrons. For a long while, smoke shops dwindled into uselessness. But now-a-days they are being welcomed with open arms in many areas.
Doesn’t that story just bring tears to your eyes? Well, get another napkin, because Headed West started out even better. Our smoke shop began with a goal our founder had as a little boy: A BMX bike. It was this BMX bike that taught him all about earning, saving, and reinvesting cash to save up for a broader purpose. After paying off an initial investment from his mom, our crafty founder made his way through more sales, a temporary bike, and finally raised the money for the $500 bike of his dreams. If that’s not an entrepreneur, we don’t know what is, and he decided the same.
After finishing college and moving out west to Colorado, it was time for the big move: a smoke shop. In 1996, Headed West became a reality. Our OG store found three real homes (after bouncing around for a while) in Englewood, Greenwood Village, and Denver! We’ve been here ever since.
We’re glad to be here today, continuing the good fight with loads of quality merchandise that would go along great with a VW bug (or, you know, a better looking car).
