What’s The Best Headshop In Your Area?

 Posted by at 11:47 AM on July 14, 2012  Marijuana Products, Opinion, Pipes And Bongs  Add comments
Jul 142012
 

headshopThe Local Headshop Is Often The Center Of Marijuana Culture In The Area

What makes a good headshop? For me, one of the biggest factors is selection. I like to walk into a head shop with a ton of items on the shelf, and diverse selection. I always like to see the funky stuff; items that the average headshop doesn’t carry. I like to see headshops that only stock quality merchandise, as opposed to a bunch of crap crammed into a storefront with one case or shelf with quality items.

Obviously a big factor (arguably the biggest!) is prices. Finally, a big thing that I look for is customer service. Is there anything worse than frequenting a headshop were the staff has an attitude? There’s a really famous headshop here in Oregon that I will never go to again because I received the worst customer service of all time. I know I’m not the only one…

A marijuana consumer’s first headshop experience is usually something they remember the rest of their lives. I certainly remember my first visit to a headshop. Looking back, the prices were outlandish, and the quality was lacking, but I remember being so blown away that there were stores completely dedicated to counterculture. With so many corporations fighting to infiltrate the industry, I truly hope that local headshops remain around. After all, Walmart just doesn’t understand counterculture!

One of my best friends on the planet owns a headshop in Salem, Oregon (Smokey’s). I remember when he opened in 2002. It was a big step, and I vividly remember having the conversation with him about what makes a headshop great, and how he was going to be better than everyone else. Smokey was the one that took me into my first headshop so many years ago, and I’m always happy to go into his store and see how awesome it is. I wish I was lucky enough to had gone into a shop like his for my first time.

One of my favorite things to do when Jay Smoker and I go on the road is frequent headshops. I don’t always purchase stuff, but I just like to see what designs local artists are coming out with, and what different states consider to be ‘the best.’ I’m going to start a series on TWB looking for the best headshops on the West Coast and beyond. What is the best headshop in your area? Please leave it below in the comments, and who knows, if I’m in the area I might just have to stop by and write a review ;)

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About Johnny Green

Johnny Green is a marijuana activist from Oregon. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy. Follow Johnny Green on Facebook and Twitter. Also, feel free to email any concerns.
  • http://www.facebook.com/krystaljuggalette Melony Stone

    Truckers Union in Eau Claire Wi is the best in my area! Not only are their products awesome and of very high quality but the staff is the nicest most down to earth I have EVER met!!!

  • CO_buddyboy

    My general impression is that most head shops are going to go the way of the Dodo bird once pot is legal. Across the board they seem to be owned/managed by quick buck entrepreneurs who have taken a “calculated risk” by offering a “borderline” product in a strict regulatory environment. Few of them have any but the slightest customer service skills and they repeatedly prove that they couldn’t care less about the customer. Of course there are exceptions, but this is what I have experienced.

    Dispensaries are in something of the same boat. Their customer service is terrible. Instead of forward thinking and true “consumer first” thinking, many of them simply dispense pot with the attitude of a cheeky McDonalds server i.e. “What do you want from me and how can I make you go away soon?”

    Now I’ll grant that being a 54 year old consumer with a MMJ card might not be who they are used to serving, but it is that demographic that will make or break them when Legalization happens.

    Apple isn’t the biggest company in the world because they worked to make the fastest buck. They actually took the consumer into account.

  • 2buds4me

    Wonderland in Hot Springs Arkansas. Of course it’s the Only headshop for 150 miles, but it’s still the greatest.

  • Midnight run

    The only headshop around georgia southern got busted with 100,000$ worth of spice.

    Btw I know of 5 ppl around here that went bat shit crazy on spice. This one kid followed a stranger and her kid out the store and forced his way im the car and pulled his dick outfor the woman. Swear to god!!

  • Dragyn

    I’ve been rather partial to Pype’s Palace, north Portland, but I haven’t gotten out to check out the newer ones in past couple of years. I’m guessing Head East is not your fave… Peace, bro

  • http://www.facebook.com/kyzombiextra Steven Murphy

    i guess the best head shop here in the derby city is grateful threads on bardstown road

  • Keegdizzle

    The hideaway in Minneapolis. They have something for everyone and every budget. I saw pieces run from $1 to a couple thousand. Plenty of local artists work as well. The staff is super friendly and very knowledgable. I told them what my price range was when i was looking for my current bong and they worked with me to find the best deal. Price is definitely negotiable there and they even threw in some free little stuff like butane fluid for my torch lighter and papers and stickers. They even have little starter kits for new smokers. If you get a chance to visit I would definitely check it out.

  • Shredded-Wolf

    In Temecula California, we have two great headshops. The Glass Wearhouse and Visions. I’ve been in a few others in my town and I was gravely disappointed.

  • melo420

    Colorado Springs..The Real Mile High

  • UofPitt

    Brownies Glass in Morgantown, WV. Only place within 150 miles of Pittsburgh with a decent selection of name brands.

  • Green Goddess

    I reccomend Highway 420 in Seaside, Oregon. The shop moved from SE Portland to 1803 S Roosevelt, which is really Hwy 101, Seaside, in 2013. They specialize in local glass, vaporizers, and BHO extract making equipment. It is a fully stocked shop with clothing, jewelery, detox products, and tapestries. I like the candles and the Wild Berry incense products. Plus, the chihuahua is really cute :)