Standing Up For Smokin’ In Boys’ Room

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At Lone Wolf Cigars, the bathroom is an important part of the business. Owner David Weiss said it’s key to the customers’ experience.

“They’re by themselves, so they get to reflect on the entire vibe of the place in those few minutes,” Weiss said.

So Weiss, owner of the West L.A. shop, is adding a waterless urinal from Falcon Waterfree Technologies in what the Brits call the water closet. Weiss is also concerned about saving water during the current drought.

“I want to know I’m doing my part in the local economy and the environment,” he said.

Chelsea Hartnett, a spokeswoman for West L.A.’s Falcon, said customers can save about 40,000 gallons of water a year by using a waterless urinal.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California offers a $200 rebate on the installation and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power offers a $500 rebate, but Weiss will not be looking for any money back.

He said he’s not concerned about the money he could save from a rebate, preferring to have it installed as quickly as possible. He believes that eventually savings on his water bill will pay for the urinal.

Hartnett said the installation of the urinal will cost Weiss about $1,800 and will save him about $400 each year on his water bill. He is the 36th Falcon customer to install a waterless urinal without seeking rebates. Others include restaurant-bar Newhall Refinery in Santa Clarita, the Valencia Country Club in Valencia and Oakmont Country Club in Glendale.

For Weiss, the urinal is perhaps as important as the humidor.

“We put a lot of toiletries into our bathrooms, mouthwash and hand lotion and soaps,” he said. “When you’re smoking a cigar, if you can spray a little clothing freshener and have a little mouthwash, and have a clean urinal and clean bathroom, I think it’s much better for your business on every level.”

– Philip Joens

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