Insider Insight from Virginia’s Queen of Green
I walk through the doors of my once-favorite boutique in Virginia Beach and am met with an exciting shock of sensory-overload. Dr. Kara Coe, a national philanthropist and entrepreneur, has transformed the 6,000 square foot space into an epic luxury retail smoking experience. About one third of the building is an Alice in Wonderland themed smoke shop, complete with shelves of artisan smoking accessories and a granite custom craft e-nic juice bar. The remainder of the building is a plush members-only smoking lounge filled with smiling customers. Just to get to Coe's office with an appointment, I am vetted two times by security guards who were once Navy SEALS. When I reach her office, I am met with her warm smile and the heady scent of midnight flowers coming from the candles lit inside....