When you walk into Langs Smokes & Exotics in Long Beach Island, you might expect just another smoke shop. What you’ll find is something much more meaningful: a family-owned wellness center dedicated to education, community, and helping people live better lives.
I sat down with owner Harsh Patel to learn more about his mission to “Make LBI Greener” and how he overcame the negative stigmas set by traditional head shops. What I discovered was a warmhearted family, dedicated to improving people’s quality of life through herbal remedies.
A Family Rooted in LBI
Harsh Patel and his family have been part of the LBI community since 2007, when his parents opened Langs Liquor. Retail has always been in their blood, but it wasn’t until after Covid that Harsh discovered his passion for connecting with the community.
“It’s fun to talk to new people every day,” he shares warmly. “You get to help them find the right products, make sure they’re not buying the wrong products.”
It’s truly a family affair at Langs. Harsh credits his parents for making his dream possible, and expressed gratitude for their support. From helping him file the proper paperwork to watching the shop when he needs to step out for a delivery, his parents have been instrumental its success.
“This business would be nothing without them, I couldn’t do it alone,” he said proudly. “There are, like, my pillars.”
More Than Just a Shop
Despite the name, which was chosen to keep a connection to Langs Liquor, this isn’t your typical smoke shop. In fact, it’s completely smoke-free.
“The focus here is wellness,” Harsh explains with conviction. “It’s to provide education in regards to hemp and THC products, because there’s a lot of misinformation out there.”
That genuine care for customers is what makes Langs Smokes & Exotics feel less like a store and more like a welcoming space where questions are encouraged and education is the priority.
The mission became crystal clear during their first year when senior customers and their families came in searching for natural alternatives to prescription painkillers. One gentleman, facing hip surgery, was brought in by his children who wanted him to avoid strong and potentially addictive pharmaceuticals. Harsh sent him home with samples of pain relief gummies, and assured him that they’d find the perfect product to help him. When he returned with news that the products had worked amazingly well, Harsh knew they were making a real difference.
“That feeling right there was the best for me,” he recalls. “This is actually making a difference in people’s lives.”
Breaking Down the Stigma
Harsh is honest about the initial pushback. Early Instagram comments worried about smoke billowing into neighboring shops and negative influences on children. But the reality couldn’t be more different. Langs Smokes & Exotics is a safe, welcoming space for all ages, even families with kids are comfortable walking in.
Though they have a strict 18+ policy on purchases and diligently check IDs, kids that come in with their parents can explore exotic snacks from around the world. People can try new flavors from familiar brands like Nori Seaweed Lay’s, or experience something completely new like Chilli Chatka KurKure twists.
The idea stemmed from wanting to bring a little more diversity to the town and offer something that compliments the THC, Hemp and CBD items they sell. Harsh’s goal with both exotic snacks and cannabis is to make unfamiliar products more accessible to a wider range of people.
“I want people to know that cannabis, first of all, is not scary,” Harsh says with a smile. “It can be very, very fun, honestly. And it really opens up a whole creativity window in your mind.”
His own journey with cannabis helped him overcome anxiety and become more confident and social. When he saw his grandmother find relief from chronic pain through CBD products, his path became clear: he wanted to help others discover these natural alternatives.
A Personal Approach to Wellness
What sets Langs apart is the personalized care each customer receives. Harsh takes time to understand what people are looking for, whether it’s managing pain, improving sleep, reducing anxiety, or simply unwinding after a long day. He always starts with one crucial question: do you want THC or CBD? From there, he will match the customer with a product that is designed to target their specific need.
For the nervous or curious, he recommends gentle introductions like their one-milligram THC mints with five milligrams of CBD, which are so subtle you can go about your day while taking the edge off.
“Starting low is better,” he advises kindly. “You can always work your way up.”
A self-proclaimed cannabis nerd, Harsh does his homework. For those concerned about “fake” CBD products flooding the market, that’s not something you’ll find at Langs. He tests products himself, checks certificates of authenticity, and verifies lab results. He’s constantly looking into new brands, reading all of the reviews to make sure people love it.
“I really understand the cannabinoids, really understand how it works,” he said.
Not only does he study the efficacy of the products, Harsh has a deep understanding of what each ingredient does. This knowledge helps him match people to their product with less trial and error. When customers return saying they got the best sleep of their lives or found relief without getting high, it reinforces why this work matters.
Building Community Through Creativity
Beyond products, Langs has become a gathering place. They host sip-and-paint events, glass mosaic classes, and bracelet-making workshops, all featuring local LBI creators. The goal is simple: show the community that this is a safe, creative, comfortable space.
“At our first sip and paint, people came in not knowing how to paint at all,” Harsh remembers with a laugh. “They were nervous, but as they started consuming a little bit of the products, they got lost in painting and had no idea the class was almost done.”
They’re always looking for new ideas to bring people together and support other local artists and businesses. Harsh particularly loves hosting pop-up shops for arts and crafts type products, and is always on the lookout for LBI makers. Next up, they’re in search of an LBI-based comedian to perform in the shop. THC and comedy seem like a natural pairing, and that night will surely be filled with laughter.
“It’s fun to support them and they support us. I know that we could be looked down upon, like we’re sending the wrong message,” he shared. “The main goal here is to let people know that it’s a safe space.”
An Invitation to Visit
If you’re still on the fence about cannabis products, Harsh has a simple invitation: “Come in and talk to me. I can see exactly where your concerns are.”
He’ll recommend the most gentle products available and even explain the worst-case scenarios so you know exactly what to expect.
The worst that could happen with CBD? You might fall asleep. With a very low dose of THC? You’ll feel as relaxed as you would with half a glass of wine. Nothing to fear, just a natural path to wellness waiting to be explored.
At Langs Smokes & Exotics, it’s not about selling products. It’s about education, community, and helping people live healthier, happier lives. And in a world that can feel overwhelming, that kind of genuine care is exactly what LBI needs.
Langs Smokes & Exotics is located in Long Beach Island, NJ. Stop by to meet the family, explore their wellness products, or simply say hello. You’ll be glad you did.
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