Starting A Hookah Business

[Narakuchan]

So yeah, I live in a VERY busy city, with lots of young people (three different colleges) and well, even though there is a lot to do, like drink drink and drink some more, we do not have a hookah bar. I have ran into SOOOOOOOOOOOOO many people who say they wish we had one. I would like to open one

I have already found a place up for rent/sale that would be PERFECT for a hookah bar (its an old club right down the street from a bar)

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on opening inventory, places to buy hookahs in mass (I need maybe 20...) and possible places to buy shisha and other hookah supplies (coals, flavors, tongs, bowls, etc)

I am very up for opening a hookah bar here in a city that I know would support one... but I have never opened a business, and I would definitely like to!!!

[findlaytennis]

do some searching there are many topics about this in the forum. The topics will help with some of the background information needed to start. Also each state has their own laws for Hookah bars with the smoking bans so that is something else to look into

[Anxiety]

try to talk to mushrat, he owns a hookah bar and is very friendly with giving advice, i believe he also wrote a thread somewhere on the proper way of running one. Try and use the search feature to dig it up.

[peterjmag]

There's probably a good reason why there are no hookah bars in your town: it's a LOT of work to get one going. I'm more than happy to help you find info, though.

A couple of good threads on the topic (made me realize how difficult and time consuming it really is) :

http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=17064
http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=11575

Those were both referenced in this topic, which also has some good info and discussion: http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=11575

Like I said, it's extremely difficult and will take over your life from what I've heard (both on this forum and at my local hookah bars), but it's also very rewarding. How rewarding it really is depends almost entirely on how much you're willing to put in to it. I encourage you to read up as much as you possibly can, and then if you think you're ready, go for it. Good luck! Edited August 4, 2008 by peterjmag

[Codename067]

Mush is the man to ask!! Mush, where you at!!!

[mattathayde]

how big is the capacity of the building? if you have 30 or 40 as a capacity 20 hookahs will be fine but if its much bigger i would get more.

you have to think of the hookahs that will be in use at full capacity plus the ones that are dirty/broken/etc.


for suppliers i would call around to the big name on line places and see who gives the best discounts and selection.

have a few different brands available, ice in the vase as an option (the local place does it for a buck, also has "fruit packs", just pieces of fruit they put in the bottom to give extra flavor for also a buck)

have at least candybars and/or the like for food or a full kitchen with some traditional and some college foods

-matt

[mushrat]

I'm here...OP can pm me if he wants to chat..or chatch me on AIM, Captmushrat.

[hookah hippie]

Getting hookahs and other supplies shouldn't be too hard talk to wholesalers