GALAXY SMOKE SHOP ELGIN — Local services in Elgin

Not sure how to explain our experience inside of this establishment on July 4, 2024 at around 9:30 PM. Me and my wife were going inside the Galaxy Smoke Shop in Elgin, because from the looks outside looking inside WOW they really changed the old laundromat into a GOLD MINE!!!! So my wife entered first as I trailed behind. My wife is talking to the owner/workers not sure if his name or titled inside of the store. So I than approach my wife and this gentleman. So at this time he is demanding my wife for her IDs, and I approach behind then he is demanding to see my IDs. Me and my wife both looked at each other and then looked at him again demanding to see our IDs. (Please keep in mind me and my wife are well over 40+ club!) We immediately asked why? The gentleman said to make sure you are of age to be able to buy anything inside of my store. Whatever! So my wife is still wanting to shop here. So maybe five minutes later my grown lil sister (also well over 40+ club) comes in to ask me a question, so he is now demanding to see my sister ID. Immediately my sister walks out. Now she walks out and someone walks in. Me and my wife both looked at the gentleman that's demanding to see my IDs my wife's IDs and my sister's IDs. He didn't once ask to see the gentleman that walked in after my sister walked out IDs. So we waited for about five minutes to see if he was really going to be asked to see that gentleman IDs. Then the gentleman that is the owner/workers said to me and my wife. "I will wait to check his IDs when he is done shopping inside of the store." I immediately said, excuse me you are demanding to see our IDs me, my sister and my wife IDs as soon as we walked inside. And now not once did you ask to see that gentleman that walked in right after my sister. How is it you pick and choose who you asked for IDs and who you don't ask for IDs? The gentleman couldn't say anything back to me after I asked him those questions! Now he told the other younger gentleman to ask to see that gentleman who walked in after my sister. I know racist and discrimination when I see it. The very sad part of all this my wife really wanted to spend money inside of his store. Well he lost business from me, my wife and my sister. You cannot always judge a book just by its cover. We all were well dressed my entire family was about to spend money to as well after us, but it was not meant to come to fruition. Might I add I had my kids outside that was close to the age of 30. And also like I said we didn't walk in together if you check your cameras on July 4 at 9:30PM you will see one walked in alone and I walk in shortly after I reiterate again. Please stop lying you did cards us as soon as we walked and you did not even card the Man who walked in after us. So again am sorry you feel that way. If I touch a nerves or something I don't apologize for your actions towards someone that maybe the same age as you or older.

State Law: Retailers must ask for ID from any person that appears to be under 30 years of age and verify the person is 21 years of age or older by example using a government issue photographic identification.

Federal Law: The new federal 21 year minimum age for FDA regulated products of all tobacco and vaping products was declared immediately effective on December 20, 2019 this law allows for no exceptions. You must check photo ID of everyone appearing underage 30 who attempts to purchase FDA regulated products and verified the customer is of legal age...

Do not shop here if you are against racism and discrimination.

I came in looking for a specific product. The staff member acted confused, so I repeated myself several times. He pretended to understand, then showed me completely different items. Only further into the conversation—when the proper thing to do would’ve been to check IDs right away—he finally asked.

We handed over our passports, the only lawful IDs we have as foreigners. The moment he saw them, his whole attitude changed. Suddenly, he refused to sell us anything, claiming he only accepts a “Chicago State ID.” To make it worse, he went on about how he has other stores he could direct us to where he’d be willing to sell us vapes—but not at this one. In other words, he only serves locals here.

I’m 29 and my friend is 33. We’ve been to bars, clubs, you name it—never faced this nonsense. What happened here was discriminatory, insulting, and completely unacceptable.

This place does not deserve your business...

Other than the terrible management and unfair treatment as a new hire, the shop it self it so cool and widely stocked with more options than most shops. Don’t get a job here if you are white, they will tell you their way is the only way and the manager training me can’t even mop a floor correctly as well as the Store Manager fired me because he quizzed me on what the flavor the Posh Max Blonde tastes like and when I told him it was Tobacco flavored he said “No, not even close” and then had me look it up in front of him just to fire me when I proved him wrong. Guess he didn’t like that I had more...