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ALLENTOWN: Old-time shop with a modern product

By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor
   The owners of a new shop downtown are in the business of transforming a bad habit into a healthier lifestyle.
   John and Peggy Stover, of Allentown, have opened Ye Olde Vape Shoppe behind the old mill on Main Street in downtown Allentown. Mr. Stover, a smoker for over 30 years, tried to quit tobacco numerous times and went so far as switching to disposable electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) from the local convenience store.
   ”I wasn’t satisfied,” he said. “I still wanted to have a cigarette.”
   A friend who saw him struggling introduced him to vaping. Touted as a safer alternative to smoking, when smokers inhale, the atomization chamber is triggered, vaporizing a liquid solution, which involves no burning or combustion and accordingly presents a different risk/safety profile that is in no way comparable to that of tobacco products. E-liquid or “juice” is made up of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and food grade flavoring. The “juice” comes with high, medium, low or no nicotine content.
   ”Now he is tobacco free and totally satisfied,” Ms. Stover said.
   The couple breathes easier. Their house and clothes no longer smell like an ashtray and Mr. Stover has more energy. They are now attempting to get more people to try vaping.
   ”Stop smoking and start vaping,” Mr. Stover said.
   They researched the market and carry a substantial inventory in their new shop.
   ”We did want the business in town because it is our town and this is up-and-coming,” Ms. Stover said. “There are several stores in Hamilton and the surrounding area but a lot of people we talked to said they were driving to Howell and Tabernacle. They were either driving all over or ordering online, and when you order online you don’t get to taste or sample the products.”
   Ye Old Vape Shoppe is like a smoke shop from the days of old where patrons can sit and sample “juices” or just relax with their vaporizers. Instead of the smell of tobacco from cigarettes, pipes and cigars, when customers, like Belinda Walter, exhale, mostly water vapor and a hint of fragrance like spearmint or pineapple fills the air.
   ”I’ve been vaping for the past two years,” Ms. Walter said. “It’s safer and I feel better”
   The shop offers e-liquid comprised of 0, 6, 12 or 24 milligrams (mg) of nicotine per millilitre (ml). Ms. Walter graduated down from 24 mg per ml to 0 and she credits the Stovers for helping her accomplish her goal.
   ”They’re very nice here and it’s very homey,” Ms. Walter said. “You’re not just a customer here.”
   Mr. Stover said, “At this point, we’re trying to get smokers off tobacco.”
   To do so, the Stovers take their time with each customer, trying to figure out what their ambitions are for quitting smoking and how much they smoke a day. They explain the vaping process and the equipment and its maintenance.
   ”Our main goal with the conversion is not to have them go back,” Mr. Stover said. “I am passionate about this and about the fact that a lot of people are like I am and couldn’t quit and couldn’t get enough encouragement to get off tobacco.”
   The Stovers offer a comfortable stress free environment to enjoy learning about vaping. They offer over 70 flavors of e-liquid to choose from.
   ”I find the sampling bar is such a benefit,” Ms. Stover said. “The customers leave with a juice they are happy with instead of ordering something online that winds up tasting like chemicals or artificial flavors.” According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), e-cigarettes have not been fully studied, so the potential risks and benefits remain unknown.
   The FDA has issued a proposed rule that would extend the agency’s tobacco authority to cover additional products that meet the legal definition of tobacco product, such as e-cigarettes.
   Small business owners like the Stovers respond that an e-cigarette is not a “tobacco product;” in fact, their goal is to provide smoke-free alternatives. They are advocating for separate, appropriate regulatory treatment.
   Ye Olde Vape Shoppe is open Monday through Thursday from 2-8 p.m., Friday from 2-9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 609-994-8273 or visit www.facebook.com/YeOldeVapeShoppeNJ.