Another smoke shop may be making its way to Claremont. On Tuesday, the Claremont Planning Commission will review a conditional use permit for MW Smoke Shop to set up residence in the Claremont Promenade Shopping Center at 444 Auto Center Dr. The center is just south of the 10 freeway along Indian Hill Boulevard.

If approved, this will be the third smoke shop located within the city of Claremont. Smokers’ Boutique currently operates within Peppertree Square (southeast corner of Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway), with Cigarettes for Less in the Vons Shopping Center on the southeast corner of Base Line Road and Mills Avenue.

The applicant, Marwan Naber, has owned and operated a similar smoke shop in the city of Huntington Beach for the last 10 years. His proposed second location in Claremont would follow suit with his first establishment: it will specialize in the sale of cigarettes, cigars, other tobacco and tobacco-related products, and will include a cigar room with humidors. The shop will serve as a “point-of-sale” retail only, with no designated “smoking lounge” or smoking area on the lease space.

City staff is recommending the commission add specific stipulations on the lease to restrict the excessive use of signs on the building, as well as prohibit sales or sidewalk displays outside the location.

“Staff does not believe that tobacco products, as well as associated advertising displays, are appropriate outdoor uses for the project site,” states the staff report.

Slightly farther up Indian Hill Boulevard at Peppertree Square, the planning commission will also review a conditional use permit for the sale of beer and wine at Peruvian eatery Kikiryki Restaurant. In addition, the commission will review the Environmental Impact Report for Claremont McKenna College’s master plan. Associated actions with the master plan include a code amendment, general plan amendment, zone change, conditional use permit and development agreement.  

The Claremont Planning Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 225 W. Second St. The full agenda can be viewed at www.ci.claremont.ca.us.