Since 1997, Jay Fratt has been working in the industry of alternative culture. Whether it was hemp clothing or locally-blown glass products on the shelves, Smokin Js has offered a “hippie state of mind” to customers for 27 years and will soon be closing its doors while owner Fratt embarks on a different journey.
“Part of the death of Smokin Js is the emergence of Jay Fratt,” he said.
Fratt said he’s taken advantage of the American dream and lived a life mostly of service to self. Now, it’s become obvious that he’s needed to live a life of service to others, he said.
He has an interest in politics, and wants to fund more of his volunteer endeavors. Smokin Js has had several windows broken, and Fratt said what he sees as the degradation of society is part of why he wants to shift his focus on volunteering.
The store at 3730 Pacific Ave SE was Fratt’s fourth location, with others previously in Vancouver, Longview and Centralia. In 2020, he began closing others as he began to focus more on volunteer work.
Right out of college, Fratt began working in a corporate setting but quickly learned it wasn’t for him. He was interested in the growing hemp industry and decided he’d go off on his own and open hemp clothing stores.
Fratt said four out of five customers said they loved the store, would look around, but not buy anything. However, they’d all ask for pipes. To stay in business he decided to start selling what customers were asking for, and the Pacific Northwest was a good place to do it.
During the 1970s and for years after, glass blowing became popular — though still a part of fringe culture — and the Pacific Northwest hosted some of the leaders in the art form. Hemp and marijuana was also gaining popularity, and unique locally-blown glass pipes, bubblers and bongs could be found in head shops around the area.
The landscape has changed, said Fratt. When he originally opened Smokin Js, marijuana legalization was still over a decade away. He was raided by police early on and had to withstand the pressures that came in owning a business that sold smoking devices for something that was still illegal, even if the glass itself wasn’t.
“So this battle for legitimacy in the industry actually, in the end, hurt the pioneers of the industry,” Fratt said.
“Back in the day, that was very much about culture. Culture of freedom, culture of independence. But in many ways, that drive for legalization, that was a big part of the culture.”
After legalization, some of the drive behind that culture dissipated, Fratt said. It became more commodified. Glass products made in China or India rose in popularity due to their cheaper cost. At Smokin Js, Fratt stocks both locally-blown glass and some imported products for customers looking for something at a lower price.
He also still stocks bohemian-style clothing like his original store, smoking accessories and cigars.
“I’ve always tried to create something with Smokin Js that services that culture,” Fratt said.
Customers have told him they’ve enjoyed driving past his sign and seeing what messages he has on it. He plans to keep the store open at least through the end of April, offering 50% off inventory.
Sean Wilkening, a Smokin Js staff member who’s been working there for about 10 years, said he doesn’t have specific plans for a job after the store closes, but would really enjoy working with kids.
Sam, who didn’t want to share his last name, is a longtime customer who said he’s sad to see an establishment that’s been around so long have to go.
He said he’s enjoyed the knowledgeable employees at Smokin Js and mentioned the good prices. There are a lot of glass shops in the area, he said, but this one is his favorite. He’s recently gotten into smoking cigars and pops in to grab one every so often.
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olyhiker
Sorry about the windows. I don't understand the mentality of those who do this sort of thing.
Tuesday, April 22 Report this
Overtaxed
This another example of How some people have become so self-indulged that they care ONLY about Themselves
and think it`s OK to destroy other people's property. It`s Time we punish all forms of Crime to the Fullest extent of the law.
Tuesday, April 22 Report this
Snevets
Thank you Jay Fratt. I wish you many more years of many more blessings. I'll be sure to stop in to say hello!
Wednesday, April 23 Report this
LoopdoGG
It takes a real piece of **** to go breaking windows in homes or businesses, crimes against property are crimes against people's civil rights. Unfortunately, law enforcement does little to address property crimes these days because they are some of the worst civil rights violators around. Sorry that your business was vandalized by scumbags, and sorry that the law has been more interested in conducting searches and seizures upon your establishment than protecting your private property and your livelihood.
Thursday, April 24 Report this