SUN Staff Report
4/23/09
Two Española Valley businesspeople who plan to open a hookah bar on Railroad Avenue say their business, to be named the Dragon’s Lair, will offer a non-alcoholic nightlife venue to young residents.
A hookah is a water pipe of Indian and Middle Eastern origin often used to smoke shisha, a fruit-flavored pulp, sometimes accompanied by tobacco. Claudia Marquez, one of the business’ owners, said patrons would order from a menu of pulp flavors.
Marquez said the bar will offer only tobacco-free smoking. Otherwise, the business would need to apply for a variance to circumvent the city of Española’s smoke-free ordinance.
“The idea is to have a lounge-type space where young people 18 and over can come in and relax with friends,” Marquez said.
The venue will also sell teas, energy drinks and specialty sodas, according to an application submitted to the city’s Planning Department.
Marquez and her business partner Steven Fierro have already leased a 25,000-square-foot space in the commercial plaza on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Fairview Lane. They are ready to open the business shortly after the city approves their business license, Marquez said.