Disclaimer: I can only speak to a few components of this business, as I only go here for one thing,…read moreand fairly infrequently.
I struggle with back pain at times, likely because I have a sedentary job, but am very active otherwise. I do not particularly enjoy taking pills, and I certainly don't use illegal substances, so I used to really just ignore the discomfort.
Recently I began going to a massage therapist, and I had a lot of knots. You know that thing where they tell you that you can be sore for up to 2 weeks after, and maybe even experience pain? I was that guy.
A friend of mine told me to try Kratom. She said that she was in a bad accident, and that she is allergic to pain medication, but that the legal substance which you can get at head shops, called Kratom has worked wonders for her. I decided to check it out.
When you walk in the shop you get that big hit of incense. The stick they were burning yesterday was awful, but it is usually pretty mellow.
The store has so much more mass than one might expect. It's a deep building, and it is lined with display cases. They have all of the regular paraphernalia that comes with smoking marijuana (Ummm, tobacco use only the signs say), but I cannot speak to all of that. Right by the register is where the Kratom lives.
Since I am a trained mental health and substance abuse professional, I always research ahead of time. This place has most of the basic strains, in both capsule and powder forms, though I highly recommend the capsules, as the powder tastes awful, generally speaking.
The first time I ever visited (and didn't buy anyhing) was when I came to UTA in 2014. Back then there were students working there, and they were very helpful. However, each time I have been since, at different times of day, the owner has been working only.
This is my one star subtraction. The last time I was in there a very elderly couple came in with walkers. It was apparent they were out of their element, and they really needed some assistance. It was just the two of them in the store, and me.
The older lady explained that she was cut off by her doctor for meds after her hip replacement. She was asking very valid questions about strength of strains, powders versus pills, etc. The owner wasn't willing to be patient with these questions. He even at one point told them "I can't tell you everything about everything. You might use internet to look it up."
I told him that I wasn't in a hurry. He kind of ignored my comment. Then he kind of ignored their questions.
The place has a decent deal. One bottle of Kratom is $32.99 there (a little high, I'd say, but it is quality). However, you can buy 3 get one free. I will probably not use that much Kratom in my life, but if I had a hip replacement, maybe.
I felt pretty bad, so I kind of started helping them. For some reason they were kind of stuck on powder to mix with OJ. I gave them some advice, but dude upsold them a lot for their first time, despite the fact they didn't know anything about the stuff.
Just some notes:
They don't have diet sodas inside. Not a big deal, but kind of matters to me.
That mannequin will likely scare the hell out of you every time you walk in. It is positioned in a way which it sits in your peripheral and the gas mask makes it kind of startling.
I have many peers who love this place for their "tobacco" paraphernalia. And all in all, it is a clean shop and you don't have to worry about the craziness that comes with gas station Kratom.
Just do some research on whatever you wish to buy before you go, and you should be okay.
