Parents, Children Protest Proposed Rocklin Smoke Shop; New Revelations Emerge About Owner
ROCKLIN (CBS13) — More than 100 parents and children lined the streets to protest a proposed smoke shop within walking distance of four Rocklin schools.
The initial outcry over the shop prompted Rocklin to place a moratorium on smoke shops while it decides whether to allow the smoke shop.
Shannon Moore, both parent and teacher, was one of those protesting on a Rocklin street corner.
"We feel it's too close to our schools and parks," she said. Opposition has come from the outset against Three Monkey's Smoke Shop being within walking distance of four schools.
"There are more than 3,000 kids within walking distance," said Sheela Hilton.
There's even more resistance after new revelations about the proposed shop's owner, Abdul "Anthony" Hirani.
CBS13 uncovered court documents showing he's twice pleaded guilty to selling alcohol to minors, and he once pleaded no contest to misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charges.
Records also show Hirani, who owns several smoke shops and convenience stores, has had his liquor license suspended for selling alcohol to minors.
On the phone Friday, Hirani blamed his employees for the past offenses, saying when they make mistakes, he as the owner gets the tickets. Hirani added "four to five tickets between to 10 to 12 stores in a 30-year span is not a big deal."
Hilton isn't buying it.
"I believe he picked this location because he's targeting the highest number of clients, prospective teenagers," she said. "He's sold in the minors in the past and he'll do it again."
Hirani insists he'd never intentionally sell to minors. The fines are too high, and he promises the smoke shop would be ages 18 and up.
He said he still wants to open it, despite the less-than-warm welcome.
"We don't want this smoke shop here, the kids don't want it here, the parents don't want it here," Hilton said.
Hirani says the location would only cell tobacco, e-cigarettes and cigars. He said he doesn't see what the big deal is, since lots of nearby stores sell the same thing.
The Rocklin City Council could make its final decision at its March 24 meeting.
