A Hookah for Everyone

by Anna Miller

The next time you're driving down Hertel, be sure to make a stop at Alladdin Markets, a paradise of middle eastern food, clothing and gifts. The first thing you'll notice, though, looking through the large front windows, is the huge number of hookahs on display. For an item not easily found around the city, the owners have definitely tackled the market. They've got hookahs in an endless array of colors and styles, to fit the personalities of the extremely varied customer base. Think your hookah could use some fish floating in the chamber? They've got it. Want to make it portable, built into a carrying case? Got it. Like the antique look? They've got some old ones too. The hookahs are so varied in make and design - to appeal to both the novice and the experienced smoker - that you could spend anywhere from $40 to nearly $300 on your newest smoking accessory.

This place truly is a hookah smoker's dream. Once you decide just which hookah you want to take home, they've got you covered on all the neccessary - and not so neccessary - accesories you could imagine. They've got a wall filled with literally every flavor tobacco you could imagine (the owner, Maggie Agha, recently enjoyed the watermellon and judging from the smell, it will be my newest favorite as well), prepackaged coals, plastic filters, even beads for decoration if you go for one of the plainer models.

Even with the number of hookahs on display, Agha said she has to restock her window every two weeks lately. And her customer base is as varied and numerous as the hookahs themselves - every race, nationality and age group you can imagine. Smoking hookah has become a growing trend, especially among college students. It's a relaxing pasttime over which friends can gather, smoke and enjoy eachother in a quite and intimate social setting. If you've never tried it but are curious, you can check out Sahara Grill on Elmwood before you buy your own. But once you're in the market, there's no better selection, and certainly no sweeter service than Alladdin Markets. I left, smiling, baklava in hand, promising to return soon to pick up a hookah of my own. And you better believe I will.