E-cigarette vapor bar open in Houghton

Downtown Houghton is home to many businesses but the latest shop to open is generating some buzz for its unique products. ABC 10’s Keweenaw Bureau Reporter Sam Ali visited the new venture to see what the fuss is all about.

If you’re driving down Shelden Avenue in downtown Houghton these days, check out the new shop that just opened up. It’s called 906 Vapor and it is an e-cigarette lounge and vapor bar where people go to “vape”. So what’s vaping? The smoke is actually a scented vapor that doesn’t have the toxic chemicals that cigarette smoke has. 906 Vapor has quickly become a popular destination.

“The reaction to how small the device was and how easy it was to use was really positive.,” owner Scott Ramage said. “You can take it anywhere: on the job or in the street outside. You don’t smell bad at all when you vape and you don’t feel down and you don’t get that stuff in your chest from smoking traditional cigarettes.”

Ramage got idea from the popularity of vapor bars in his home state of California, and he feels it’s a good way to help people quit smoking.

“We have this program that if it’s your first time into the shop and you want to quit smoking and you have almost a full pack of cigarettes, you can sign it over, date it and put it in the jar in front of the window and you get 10% off your first purchase of a starter kit,” Ramage said.

Using it is simple. You just press on the button, inhale and out come clouds of vapor. And the selection is immense. Sales representative John Kaminski says they’re sure to have something that you’ll like.

“We carry a lot with variable voltage so you change it from high to low. Also, with the wattage, it will give you better flavor or more vapor. It’s really personal preference,” Kaminski said.

What kinds of flavors do they have? Strawberry punch to butterscotch and everything in between, and every other week, new flavors are introduced. The bar is set up where you can try out flavors and when you find one you like, have a seat in the lounge and vape with your friends. Kaminski says the reaction has been great.

“It’s been really good. A lot of people are really excited coming in here. They’re excited to try all the new flavors and a lot of them are looking forward to quitting smoking. A lot of people come in here who have never smoked and they just love the flavoring,” Kaminski said.

For more information, head to their website at 906vapor.com.