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A controversial store in West Menlo Park has officially closed less than a month after opening. Some neighbors and San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller objected to the business, claiming its opening violated county laws about the sale of tobacco.
San Mateo County bans tobacco stores from opening within 1,000 feet of schools and certain other areas. While Blazzin Gifts owner Hussein Omar said the store did not sell tobacco, it sold items the county defines as “tobacco paraphernalia,” classifying it as a tobacco retailer.
The shop at 3536 Alameda de Las Pulgas was within 1,000 feet of three schools and shared a lot with a dance studio.
The closure came after San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies reported finding evidence that the store sold tobacco, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and has not yet filed charges against Omar.
Property manager Saam Sadghian told this news organization that Omar described the business as a gift store and did not inform him or the property owners about plans to sell tobacco paraphernalia.
“(The property’s owner, Mostafa Ronaghi, and I) are living in the same community. As soon as I realized, I got involved with the county,” Sadghian said.
The storefront has been controversial for more than a year. Last year, Hussein Omar’s brother, Ahmed Omar, tried to open a tobacco store in the same space but was forced to shut down by the county.
If the store did not close, the county was considering legal action.
Hussein Omar previously told this news organization not to contact him further.
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