Smoke Shop in Gables – Sign of the Times
The Gables First ‘Head Shop’ Appears on Miracle Mile
We won’t judge you if you’ve walked past “The Bakery ‘’ on Miracle Mile and thought you would stop in for a cupcake. But the Bakery is downtown Coral Gables’ first smoke shop – aka “head shop” – selling everything from brightly colored glassware to the latest vaporizers, CBD gummies, and even Delta 8, a legal and less potent form of cannabis, containing only .3% THC.
In mid-September, owner Raameel Anwaar’s dream to have a smoke shop cleverly named “The Bakery ‘’ – for “getting baked” – became a reality. Getting the permit was a long and winding road starting with multiple city commission debates as to whether the city should permit such a place. In the end, the argument that smoke shops should be considered free enterprise and controlled in the same way as liquor and wine stores won the day.
But why Miracle Mile specifically? Anwaar says his father gave him the idea, pointing out that, unlike places such as Coconut Grove or Miami Beach, there was no competition in the Gables. “If it doesn’t work here, it won’t work anywhere,” says Anwaar.
Prior to The Bakery venture, Anwaar, 26, had plans to attend law school but dropped out of the University of Miami to follow his gut. “You have to do what feels right for you,” he says. “At the end of the day, whether you’re right or wrong, you’ll be happy.” With the gradual legalization of cannabis and the normalization of its use, all kinds of Gableites are popping into The Bakery. “I get everything from UM students who know exactly what they want, to adults in their 60s who ask a bunch of questions,” says Anwaar.
Medical marijuana has been legal in Florida since June 2014, when Governor Rick Scott signed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. This allowed patients suffering from cancer, epilepsy, or muscle spasms touse cannabis as prescribed by a doctor. Fast forward to June 2017 when the Medical Use of Marijuana Act was passed, establishing rules to regulate the availability of medical marijuana to Floridians (after 71 percent of voters approved of the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative!). Under current Florida law, conditions which meet the criteria for medical marijuana cards include ALS, cancer, Crohn’s Disease, epilepsy, PTSD, Parkinson’s, chronic pain, or any terminally ill condition. Others that may qualify include anxiety, Alzheimer’s, and nausea. With cannabis becoming a popular remedy for such conditions, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing places like CannaMD medical marijuana clinic on Ponce de Leon – and The Bakery on Miracle Mile. It’s the beginning of a new industry.
Despite having a smoker’s dream inventory, The Bakery is inclusive to non-smokers. “Even if you’re not a smoker, there’s something here for you,” Anwaar says as he points out scented candles and shelves stocked with vibrant cereal boxes, and snacks like Cheetos and Oreos, from countries like Japan, West Indies, and Thailand. Aside from the foreign big-brand snacks because “they taste so much better,” around 60 percent of The Bakery’s merchandise is hand-picked, as much from Coral Gable’s sources as possible. Anwaar also plans to collaborate and host events with local breweries, and if you stop by the store on any Friday, you can grab a free, harmless baked good from Coral Gables-based Dan Bakes.
The Bakery
269 Miracle Mile
786.391.1321
The Bakery Facebook