By Chad Wade – The Guy Who Learned the Hard Way Where You Shouldn’t Put a Shop
Here’s a truth bomb most owners don’t want to hear:
Your location can make or break your business before you even open the doors.
Your location can make or break your business before you even open the doors.
You can have the best products, the best signage, and the best hustle… but if you pick the wrong spot, you’re dead in the water.
So let’s cut through the fluff and talk about what really matters when choosing the perfect location for a smoke shop.
1. Visibility Is Everything
If people can’t see you, you don’t exist. Period.
Bad: Hidden in the back of a strip mall, behind a nail salon, with no street visibility.
Good: Right on a main road, with a clear line of sight from passing traffic.
Good: Right on a main road, with a clear line of sight from passing traffic.
Pro Move: Park across the street. Would you notice your own store? If not, keep scouting.
2. Traffic: Cars AND Feet
You need eyeballs and foot traffic — not just one.
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High vehicle traffic means new customers driving by every day.
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High foot traffic (near bars, tattoo shops, campuses) means impulse buys and loyal regulars.
The best locations? They give you both.
3. Stay Out of the Dead Zones
Cheap rent looks tempting, but dead zones will kill you.
Don’t open near:
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Other failing retail stores
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Empty plazas
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Hard-to-access corners with no parking
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Neighborhoods under heavy city redevelopment (you’ll be gone before you “grow with it”)
Remember: You can’t save a dying area with your one smoke shop.
4. Know Your Neighbors
The businesses around you matter.
Good neighbors:
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Tattoo shops
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Bars & nightclubs
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Vape shops (yep, competition can create a hotspot)
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Pizza joints & convenience stores
Bad neighbors:
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Churches, schools, daycare centers (obvious legal problems)
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Super high-end boutiques (wrong vibe)
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Empty storefronts (signals failure to customers)
5. Rent vs Revenue Math
The right location isn’t the cheapest — it’s the one with the best ROI.
Rule of thumb:
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Rent should not exceed 10–15% of projected gross monthly sales.
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If you’re paying $4,000/month rent, you better plan on making at least $30K–40K/month in sales.
Otherwise, your landlord’s the one making the money, not you.
6. Check the Laws Before You Sign
Don’t fall in love with a space until you’ve checked:
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Local zoning laws (many cities restrict smoke shops near schools/churches)
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Distance requirements (some areas force 1,000 ft between similar stores)
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Special licensing or permits
Pro Move: Talk to a local business attorney before signing the lease. It’ll save you a ton of headaches later.
7. Think Like a Customer, Not an Owner
At the end of the day, ask yourself:
If I were a customer, would I want to stop here?
Is it easy to get in and out?
Is it safe at night?
Is parking simple?
Would I brag about this shop’s location to my friends?
Is it safe at night?
Is parking simple?
Would I brag about this shop’s location to my friends?
If the answer is no, don’t kid yourself. Move on.
Final Word
A great location is an investment, not an expense.
It’s the difference between fighting for scraps and having customers line up without trying.
It’s the difference between fighting for scraps and having customers line up without trying.
Don’t rush it. Don’t cheap out.
The right spot will make you money for years. The wrong spot will bury you before you start.
The right spot will make you money for years. The wrong spot will bury you before you start.
Pick smart — and you’ll thank yourself every single payday.
Want my full Smoke Shop Location Checklist with 20+ questions to ask about every space before you sign? Grab it free at ChadWadeTV.com.