SinBad Vapors' mantra: Take a deep breath

DIXON – It’s not immediately obvious what SinBad Vapors is. That might be because there aren’t many electronic cigarette shops attempting owner Majid Jabber’s approach.

In one corner, there’s a pot of free coffee. Next to that is a pit group couch facing a big screen that has Netflix and Apple TV. On the other side of the business are large speakers for music.

And in the back, there’s a wall of more than 150 flavors – or liquids – behind a counter of devices that range between $40 and $300 in price. Those products are supposed to be the money-makers, Jabber said, but the real objective of Dixon’s newest electronic cigarette shop is to help people find a healthier alternative to smoking.

“We’re trying to perform a public service to the community – to try to make them aware of the advantage of vaping and to try to help them out,” Jabber, a Toulon resident, said. “It’s all about one theme: lounge. We try to create this relaxing, friendly environment where people can come in, vape and just relax.”

With Monday’s initial opening, the Dixon branch marks the fifth SinBad Vapors launch in as many months. Jabber also has shops in Princeton, Kewanee, Peru and Ottawa.

All of them are an extension of
Jabber, a 36-year-old Iraqi immigrant who 10 years ago was helping the U.S. Army as a translator. The name "SinBad" comes from a legend in the Middle East, a hero, an adventurist who realized success, just as
Jabber hopes for himself.

Part of that involves creating an atmosphere that takes itself seriously. Jabber and his business partner, general manager Joe Robertson, wear collared shirts and ties, vests and slacks. They’re there to show customers all of the advantages of their lounge, a reason why they give them things to play with.

There are gadgets like the two, 3-foot-tall electronic hookahs people can use to sample different liquids.

“Not an actual traditional hookah by any means,” Jabber said. “It’s geared to electronic cigarettes.”

There are iPad menus.

“You flip through and it gives you different brands, premium and nonpremium flavors,” Robertson said. “You tap on the name of it and the tablet gives you a description.”

The flavors are something else that sets SinBad apart:

“They can come here and try any of the flavors for free,” Robertson said.

“If they already vape, we don’t mind them coming in to try one of our liquids,” Jabber added. “Sit in our lounge, watch a movie, enjoy the atmosphere. It’s a lounge and it’s a vape shop.”

Jabber never envisioned getting into this type of business when he was a mechanical engineer with a degree from the University of Baghdad who had previously worked with Caterpillar and other local companies.

Then again, the technology and the chemistry involved in the industry fascinate him, and allow him to still get his engineering fix. On the side, Jabber develops e-cigarette prototypes of his own.

Both Jabber and Robertson said they were longtime tobacco smokers before they stumbled upon e-cigarettes. There are ongoing studies trying to determine the risk factors in vaping, but they both believe there’s a significant health advantage to ingesting the four chemicals found in the liquids versus the 4,000 found in cigarettes.

It was enough for each to make the switch to e-cigs and never look back. By creating a casual atmosphere at SinBad, their hope is to invite others to do the same.

“I realized the opportunity there is with this booming industry,” Jabber said. “We’re not another vape shop. We’re professionals, we know what we’re doing, and we will help people quit smoking.”

ABOUT SINBAD VAPORS

Where: 505 Chicago Ave., Dixon

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday