Following up on an earlier post, Puff and Stuff was a smoking supplies ship located on S. Illinois across from where Trax is now. There were a couple of other similar businesses in Carbondale in the 1990s that dabbled in smoking paraphernalia, such as Merlin's in the Island Building on S. University. They violated city ordinances regarding selling those problems but were pretty much ignored by the city until Discount Den, a convenience store located just south of where Keeper's Quarters is now, sought a license to sell beer.
When the liquor control board and city council turned down Discount Den's request for a liquor license, the manager at the time pointed out the hypocrisy of the council at the time in refusing Discount Den a license while at the same time allowing the sale of smoking paraphernalia, which was banned by the city. Stung, the council swung into action and, within a week, no businesses in Carbondale were selling smoking accessories. Puff and Stuff shuttered immediately and Merlin's closed up within a few months, after racking up significant sales tax liabilities to the state.
When the liquor control board and city council turned down Discount Den's request for a liquor license, the manager at the time pointed out the hypocrisy of the council at the time in refusing Discount Den a license while at the same time allowing the sale of smoking paraphernalia, which was banned by the city. Stung, the council swung into action and, within a week, no businesses in Carbondale were selling smoking accessories. Puff and Stuff shuttered immediately and Merlin's closed up within a few months, after racking up significant sales tax liabilities to the state.
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