Smokin' Hookah Store Opens in Philadelphia

A new hookah shop is now operating at the corner of 33rd Street and Powelton Avenue.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Renovated brick corner building in Philadelphia featuring new dark green awnings, indicating a revitalized urban commercial space. — Smokin' officially opened its doors on October 12 in a renovated corner space at 33rd Street and Powelton Avenue in Philadelphia. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Smokin' officially opened its doors on October 12, 2026, at 33rd Street and Powelton Avenue. The store now occupies a site that had remained vacant for a decade.

Why it matters

The opening represents a return to active commercial use for a space that has been boarded up since 2016. The renovation of the site involved significant exterior work to restore the building.

The shop maintains a seven-day weekly operating schedule and mandates a minimum customer age of 21. It replaces the footprint formerly held by Village Cleaners.

The players

Smokin'

This is a smoke and hookah retail business that recently began operations in a previously vacant commercial space.

Village Cleaners

This was a former business tenant that vacated the property at 33rd Street and Powelton Avenue approximately ten years ago.

The details

The business underwent a transformation process that included cleaning the building bricks and installing new awnings. The exterior was also repainted to revitalize the long-dormant corner location.

Village Cleaners closed at the location in 2016.
Smokin' officially opened for business on October 12, 2026.

Market Landscape

The revitalization of the lot reflects a broader trend of returning dormant urban real estate to active commerce in Philadelphia. This project aligns with local efforts to mitigate the impact of long-term commercial vacancies on neighborhood development.

Residents and customers in the area should note that the store is strictly restricted to individuals aged 21 and older. The space now offers daily service throughout the week.

The takeaway

This opening marks the end of a ten-year period during which the property remained boarded up and unused. The transformation of the site highlights the ongoing efforts to repurpose vacant lots in the city.