Smokes By Us Builds a Boutique Retail Brand in Glendale

Located at 1610 E Colorado Street in Glendale, California, Smokes By Us was created with a clear idea of what a smoke shop could feel like. Founder and owner Mike Sahakian wanted an elevated, welcoming retail environment where thoughtful presentation and personal service would be part of every visit. Since opening on October 31, 2024, the store has brought that vision to life through its boutique-inspired interior and varied product selection.

From a Teenage Idea in Chicago to a Glendale Storefront

Sahakian's interest in owning a smoke shop began when he was a teenager in Chicago. Years before Smokes By Us opened, he pictured having a store of his own. That early ambition eventually became a real storefront in Glendale, giving him the opportunity to shape the business around his own taste and approach to working with people.

By the time he opened the doors, the idea had developed into a vision for the whole shopping experience. He wanted customers to remember the store's atmosphere and how they were treated, as well as what they purchased.

“When I opened Smokes By Us, my goal was never to create just another smoke shop. I wanted to build something with its own identity, something people would recognize, remember, and trust,” Sahakian said.

A Boutique Approach to the Smoke Shop

The interior was an important part of that vision. Sahakian wanted Smokes By Us to feel more like a high-end retail boutique, with clean presentation and deliberately organized displays. He sought an alternative to the crowded, cluttered appearance often associated with smoke shops, creating a setting that would feel inviting rather than overwhelming.

The emphasis is on giving merchandise a clear place within the store. Glassware, accessories, and other products are presented so visitors can browse the selection without feeling surrounded by a jumble of unrelated items. The layout and displays help make a varied inventory easier to explore.

That approach also gives customers time to look around. Someone arriving for one item can see what else is available, while a first-time visitor can get a sense of the store without having to know exactly what to ask for.

For Sahakian, the boutique concept is about the care put into the space. An elevated appearance should make the shop feel approachable and comfortable, with the same attention to detail carried into everyday service.

A Sales Background Built Around Listening

Before establishing Smokes By Us, Sahakian worked as a mortgage originator. That experience shaped his view of sales: the starting point should be understanding what someone needs and wants. He learned to listen before making a recommendation and to recognize that a useful conversation can matter more than a quick transaction.

He brings that philosophy to the store. Customers may have different preferences, budgets, or levels of familiarity with a product. Taking the time to understand those differences helps guide the conversation toward something relevant to the person shopping, instead of treating every visit the same way.

His aim is to become someone customers feel comfortable speaking with and returning to. Building that relationship means showing interest, answering questions, and earning trust over time. A sale is one part of the interaction; the way a customer feels afterward matters to him as well.

The connection between mortgage origination and retail is the attention given to the individual. Although the products and setting are different, Sahakian sees a common lesson in both: effective service begins with listening. At Smokes By Us, he wants that principle to be reflected in the everyday conversations that take place across the counter.

A Selection That Goes Beyond Smoking Accessories

Smokes By Us carries smoking accessories, glassware, hookah products, cigars, and specialty merchandise. The selection gives customers several categories to explore in one location, whether they are looking for an accessory, browsing glassware, or checking what is available for their hookah setup.

Exotic snacks and beverages add another dimension to the store. Alongside its core merchandise, these items give visitors something different to discover and make the selection broader than smoking accessories alone. A visit can include looking through specialty drinks or picking up a snack.

The variety is presented within the same organized retail environment. Sahakian's goal is to offer customers choice while keeping the store coherent and easy to browse. Product selection and display decisions work together, so adding variety does not mean abandoning the boutique atmosphere.

He remains involved in inventory decisions and daily management, with customer preferences helping inform the store's development. Listening to what visitors ask for gives him a practical way to understand demand and consider how the selection can evolve.

Late Night Convenience in Glendale

Smokes By Us also makes convenience part of the experience through its late-night schedule. For customers whose routines extend beyond typical daytime shopping hours, being able to visit later in the evening can make the store a useful local stop.

The East Colorado Street location gives Glendale customers a place to browse in person, see the merchandise, and speak with staff. The physical storefront remains central to Sahakian's vision: the atmosphere, selection, and conversations are intended to work together during a visit.

Customers can check the store's current hours on its public listings before heading over. Its Instagram account offers another way to keep up with the brand and get a closer look at the store.

Building the SBU Brand

Customers also know Smokes By Us as SBU, a name that has become part of the business's identity. For Sahakian, the goal is to grow a recognizable brand whose connection with customers extends beyond a single purchase. He wants people to remember SBU for its atmosphere, its presentation, and the relationships they build there.

That ambition shapes his attention to branding and specialty merchandise alongside the daily work of running the shop. The boutique setting gives SBU a visual identity, while personal service gives customers a reason to feel connected to it. Sahakian wants those elements to carry the same sense of care wherever people encounter the brand, whether in the store or through its online presence.

Sahakian's longer-term interests include exploring expansion and additional entrepreneurial ventures. As he builds SBU, his focus is on strengthening the identity established in Glendale and carrying it forward as the business develops. The storefront is where his teenage ambition became a reality; it is also the foundation for the brand he is working to grow.

About Smokes By Us

Smokes By Us, also known to customers as SBU, is an independently owned specialty retail business founded by Mike Sahakian. Opened on October 31, 2024, the store offers smoking accessories, glassware, hookah products, cigars, specialty merchandise, exotic snacks, and beverages.

Visit Smokes By Us at 1610 E Colorado Street, Glendale, California 91205, to browse the selection and experience its boutique-inspired atmosphere. Customers can also explore the store's offerings and learn more about the business through its official website.

Find directions and current hours on Google Maps, read customer feedback on Yelp, or follow @smokes.by.us on Instagram for updates and a closer look at the brand.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to promote, encourage, or provide professional advice related to the tobacco and specialty retail industry. Always consult qualified professionals or relevant regulatory authorities before engaging in activities related to tobacco products, smoking accessories, or other regulated merchandise, especially if doing so may have legal, financial, or personal consequences. The author and publisher are not responsible for any losses, damages, or outcomes resulting from the use of or reliance on the information provided.