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Smoke shop donates masks, protective equipment to first responders

Posted at 10:30 PM, Apr 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-02 23:35:13-04

BEVERLY HILLS, Texas — Fatty's Smoke Shop is donating its profits to buy masks and other protective equipment for local first responders.

Last week, the smoke shop's location in Beverly Hills was temporarily closed by officers who determined it was a non-essential business under the county's shelter-in-place order. The officers also gave owner Jesse Singh a citation for violating the order.

In the days after, Singh petitioned the town to change its rules to allow shops like his to remain open as essential businesses, claiming they are a healthcare provider. His shop distributes CBD oil, which his clients use to treat anything from headaches to seizures.

"Maybe it's social misperception or something we don't understand, but our store is very essential," Singh said. "If you did ask our customers, they'd say we're as essential as a grocery store."

Beverly Hills officials reached an agreement with Singh to allow him to keep his doors open for curbside service only.

Singh said he holds no ill-will toward the officers who shut his store down. He mentioned they treated him "cordially" in their interaction, and to return the favor, he is donating his shop's profits to first responders in the towns they are located in.

Singh donated 300 masks to the Bryan Police Department and says he has ordered 800 masks to distribute to officers in College Station, San Marcos and Beverly Hills.

He says he is doing it "in light of that gratitude and out of respect for the first responders who are out here trying to enforce and protect our community."

He plans to deliver those masks when they come in next week.