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By Gus Saltonstall

Over the past month and a half, illegal smoke shops have been forcibly shuttered at an unprecedented rate in New York City, according to a news release from Mayor Eric Adams. And that includes on the Upper West Side.

At the beginning of May, Mayor Adams unveiled “Operation Padlock to Protect,” a multi-agency enforcement campaign that conducts regular inspections of alleged illegal smoke shops, before subsequently closing them and padlocking their doors.

Previously, fewer authorities had the ability to inspect the alleged illegal smoke shops, and they were being closed down at a much slower rate, and reopening as soon as the next day. Under the current push, the smoke shops remain shuttered and padlocked on a much more consistent basis.

In the past month, many locals have emailed West Side Rag with news that a nearby illegal smoke shop has been shuttered and padlocked. These closures are challenging to report, as the operators of the shops have the ability to either pay fines or appear at an administrative trial with the city and reopen. We didn’t want to write that a smoke shop was closed, only to have you walk by it two days later and see it open.

However, Councilmember Gale Brewer, who was a strong voice, along with Councilmember Shaun Abreu, in the effort to expand the jurisdiction of local law enforcement to conduct inspections, provided West Side Rag with a list of Upper West Side illegal smoke shops, and those near the neighborhood, that have recently been and remain closed:

  • Smoke ‘n Toke: 309 West 57th Street
  • Amazing Smoke Shop: 208 Columbus Avenue
  • Royal Convenience: 313 Amsterdam Avenue
  • Red Eye Remedy Club: 1875 Broadway
  • Mr. Empire: 564 Amsterdam Avenue
  • Pure Green: 128 West 72nd Street
  • Munch and OOO’s: 200 West End Avenue
  • Leo Organics: 2047 Broadway
  • Endo Guardz: 2416 Broadway
  • Vape and Dispensary: 2442 Broadway
  • Broadway CBD: 2457 Broadway
  • 96 Tobacco Shop: 2571 Broadway
  • Muddy’s Dispo: 252 West 108th Street
  • Come Say High: 2717 Broadway