Ravensmoke – 3 Vape Shops in Hessia

Ravensmoke was still purely an online store in 2011. In 2013, Adrian Nutrica and Gitta “Gigi” Betz decided to transfer their sales idea to brick-and-mortar retail. Their first vape store was established in the small town of Dreieich, a popular IT location. It wasn't long before Union Seven GmbH expanded: Gigi Betz and Adrian Nutrica opened vaper stores in the Sachsenhausen district of Frankfurt and in Münster-Dieburg. And things have also changed in the place where it all began: The shop in Dreieich was soon bursting at the seams, so a move within the city was on the cards in 2017.

Cab drivers have become e-cigarette experts

A ban paved the way for the two Ravensmoke founders to become self-employed vapers. Both Gigi Betz and Adrian Nutrica were smokers and drove cabs. Since smoking cigarettes while driving a cab was banned overnight, they tried an e-cigarette - and were thrilled. As there were hardly any stores - both online and offline - they simply sold e-cigarettes and accessories online themselves - until Gigi Betz came across a store out of the blue. She hung up the steering wheel and opened the first Ravensmoke store. However, the work in her own vape store soon became too much for a full-time employee, so Adrian Nutrica also gave up his cab.

Ravensmoke now employs nine members of staff. They advise customers - vapers and smokers who want to quit - between the ages of 18 and 80 to the best of their knowledge and belief. Gigi Betz is keen to dispel the misconception that vaping is more dangerous than a cigarette. “We try to educate people and use our knowledge and experience to help,” says the owner. What her customers appreciate about Ravensmoke is “that we take the time to answer their questions and find exactly the right products for them,” says Gitta Betz. Ravensmoke prefers to work in a “customer-oriented way rather than focusing on maximum sales”.

She therefore starts by explaining to ex-smokers that nicotine is not “the enemy”. After all, it is extremely important for those switching to start with an appropriate nicotine strength. A good liquid for switching is practically any tobacco flavor. However, the right choice ultimately always depends on the customer. If you want to give liquids as a gift, you should know the nicotine strength of the recipient and their (rough) flavor. In winter, Ravensmoke sells more creamy liquids, while in summer, fruity-fresh liquids are the preferred choice. If you don't want to commit to a specific liquid but want to leave the recipient free to choose, you can give a Ravensmoke voucher as a gift.

Gigi Betz still loves the taste of tobacco even after switching to e-cigarettes. She hardly ever tries new varieties, although she mainly vapes at work. Her favorite liquid is Tabak Silver from happy liquid. She is particularly happy to recommend it to her customers and sells it most often. The fruity top seller from the Munich-based liquid manufacturer in the Ravensmoke store network is the blueberry liquid. The products from happy liquid have been sold at Ravensmoke since 2014.

CBD liquids and home-made bases in our range

Gitta Betz recognizes a good liquid by its quality and consistent taste. It is precisely these characteristics that she values in products from happy liquid. However, compatibility with the vaporizer heads and the choice of the right base liquid are also decisive factors. Ravensmoke helps directly with this. The store operators not only supply their customers with purchased liquids from premium manufacturers, but also with bases from their own Union Seven brand.

Ravensmoke also offers CBD liquids. “There are people who only want to take drops once a day. Others prefer to take a few drags on their e-cigarette when the pain is acute,” says Gitta Betz about the cannabis hype.

As there are also snacks and drinks on offer, many people spend their lunch break in a Ravensmoke store - at least when corona is not in high season. The sociable aspect is not neglected here. Customers like to stay longer “also just to chat.”