Dragons Lair Vapors
From Suitcase to Lounge 

Smoker turned Vaper, Vaper turned Salesman, Salesman turned business owner. Dragons Lair Vapors is the story of Co-Owner Brandon Taul who made a living for himself all while trying to help other smokers put down the cigarettes. “Our motto is bringing the best vapor ware to your lair, but the overall purpose of our business is to help people quit smoking” Brandon said.

Brandon had been a smoker for a while and knew he wanted to quit. The self-taught designer had just finished making a web graphic for a company he was doing some freelance work for when he realized it was a vape shop. Intrigued by the idea of finally giving up cigarettes, he asked the owner of the shop to set him up with some vaping supplies. After a six-month transition period of smoking and vaping, Brandon put down the cigarettes for good and began only vaping.

He wanted to help others quit smoking, so he called the gentleman who helped him quit. A week or so later, Brandon had a briefcase of vaping supplies in the trunk of his car. From that moment on, Brandon started helping others quit smoking: friends, coworkers (he was bartending at the time), family and acquaintances. There seemed to be no limit, because everyone wanted to quit smoking. With only a business license and the trunk of his car, Brandon was helping others make the transition he did—from cigarettes to vaping.

The demand didn’t stop, so Brandon foresaw no reason to stop the supply either. By January of 2014 Brandon opened up a small storefront with the help of two investors and money he had saved from bartending. At 400 square feet, the shop was a cozy fit. Brandon and the other two owners didn’t take a paycheck in those early days. All the profits they generated were circumvented back into the business to buy more products. Steadily, their cliental list grew and so did their array of products. Brandon credits his loyal customers who have been with him from the beginning, “Customers who came to our little 400 ft² shop in the beginning are still coming back now, I just wanted to tell them thank you and that I appreciate them.”

The new Dragons Lair Vapors location boasts a 1250 square footlayout complete with couches, a juice bar for taste testing, a relaxing atmosphere, and a staff that knows all the inner-workings of vape ware and juice. Every customer is educated on how to fill their tank, charge their mod, and prime their coil before walking out of the door. Most importantly, every customer is vaping before leaving.

Brandon and his team can set up a basic starter package for anyone interested in vaping for about $30 – which is roughly the same price as a carton of cigarettes. After the initial investment, a bottle of juice ranges from just $10 to $20. Brandon cautions those who are considering making the transition from cigarettes to vaping to be patient and listen to your body. “You’re going to smoke a few cigarettes, you’re going to cough a lot for the first two or three weeks depending on how heavy of a smoker you were. Be kind to yourself and let your body tell you when to cut down on nicotine levels.” After the cigarettes are gone for good there is a general consensus that although you may crave one from time to time, you definitely won’t enjoy the taste of them anymore. Whether you’re a smoker interested in quitting, or you just want to give vaping a try, Dragons Lair Vapors is the shop to go to.