When I first saw the renderings for Galaxy Glass‘s future storefront facade, I was impressed. Then I saw the updated interior design, and thought, “It’s so nice seeing someone actually put some thought into a space like this, especially a smoke shop.” Not that Galaxy Glass is simply a smoke shop. It’s a lot more than that, thanks to the vision of owners Shawn Reynolds and Mike Danner, who wanted to do something on an elevated level.
In order to bring their vision closer to life, the owners reached out to Seth Amman, owner of Arch&Type, who did a smashing job of extracting the creative elements out of their brains.
“I give the credit to these guys,” said Amman, during a Zoom call with me and Reynolds. “I took the verbal cues and brought them to life.”
According to Reynolds, he began planning and building Galaxy Glass in 2018, in the former Broadway Joe’s at 3051 Main Street in University Heights. The shop opened in June of ’21. But Reynolds knew that the opening was a placeholder for what was to come. His goal was to create something exceptional for the community. Aside from simply being a smoke shop, Galaxy Glass would host poetry readings, and small concerts, art shows, and numerous other culturally significant undertakings. Many of these immersive events are already being held at the space. Now, the time has come to create an aesthetic atmosphere that pays homage to the cultural spirit within.
“The plan is to elevate the experience of the smoke shop,” said Amman, who is designing the space with Adam McCullough. “How do we create a space that helps to reduce the stigma of a smoke shop? How can the facade and the interior reflect what’s going on inside… as a cultural center?”
Amman told me that Reynolds wanted something that was clean and classy, which is definitely not representative of a typical smoke shop vibe. In fact, the interior looks more like a mashup between the Mos Eisley Cantina and the Korova Milkbar than it does a smoke shop.
Aside from the aforementioned cultural components, the next iteration of Galaxy Glass will feature a main flexible seating lounge and a smaller private lounge with booth seating and velvet curtains. There will be a torch glass studio – viewable from Main Street, as well as from the lounge – a retail glass shop, a small stage for intimate performances, and a large back courtyard for summer gatherings.
As for the cannabis component, “Galaxy Glass is legally allowed to do everything that we’re doing,” said Reynolds. “We applied for a special use permit from NYS. We’re not a dispensary, but customers can bring their own cannabis to smoke – it’s under the vape-smoke category. Our goal is build a consumption lounge, and a space of culture.”
The sleek storefront design, and the organic shop interior is not only a stylish touch for Galaxy Glass, it also sets a precedent for other businesses to follow. Instead of simply throwing up a temporary vinyl sign, and opening the doors, sometimes it’s nice to offer up something to the community that goes beyond the ordinary.
This fine example of what’s to come is thanks to Reynolds and Danner, who wanted something more, and Amman and McCullough who were able to capture the vision.
“The process of creating art is art itself,” exclaimed Reynolds, who is anxious to get the show on the road.
Next step? Reynolds and Danner are talking to silent investors who will help them to tangibly achieve the aesthetics that Arch&Type have put forth.