I think that the perception of these items is that they will be used illegally - but the same can be said for guns or alcohol.  You can buy alcohol and drink and drive, you can buy a gun and rob a store (or worse).  Yes you can buy a hooka or glass pipe and smoke the marijuana in it - or you can buy it and smoke tobacco in it.  You are just assuming that people will use it for illegal purposes, but really it’s the same as the other items mentioned here. 
I agree with the other people who have mentioned that if you are unhappy with it - mention it to the guys behind the counter - they are very nice the few times I have been in there (I usually just get my gas and pay outside) and I’m sure they would be willing to listen to what you have to say.

titantickitty - 02 July 2008 02:51 PM

I think that the perception of these items is that they will be used illegally - but the same can be said for guns or alcohol.  You can buy alcohol and drink and drive, you can buy a gun and rob a store (or worse).  Yes you can buy a hooka or glass pipe and smoke the marijuana in it - or you can buy it and smoke tobacco in it.  You are just assuming that people will use it for illegal purposes, but really it’s the same as the other items mentioned here. 
I agree with the other people who have mentioned that if you are unhappy with it - mention it to the guys behind the counter - they are very nice the few times I have been in there (I usually just get my gas and pay outside) and I’m sure they would be willing to listen to what you have to say.

I agree with your entire statement, but seriously when was the last time you or anyone that you knew sat on the porch and puffed away at some Captain Black tobacco in a hooka (I had to look it up I did not know that is what a water pipe was called) or glass pipe? 

Using a hookah as a way to “smoke” tobacco is actually not that uncommon outside our little world here.  In recent years hookah bars have popped up in most cities (including Baltimore, Harrisburg and Philadelphia) and are supposedly gaining popularity throughout Europe.  Also consider that the hookah is quite common in Indian and Middle Eastern societies.  As more and more immigrants come from these regions, their traditions will come with them.  While the assumption made on this forum that what is being sold at the Shell is being used for marijuana is probably accurate, don’t completely discount the chance that it is being used for tobacco.

Otter - 02 July 2008 06:51 PM

Using a hookah as a way to “smoke” tobacco is actually not that uncommon outside our little world here.  In recent years hookah bars have popped up in most cities (including Baltimore, Harrisburg and Philadelphia) and are supposedly gaining popularity throughout Europe.  Also consider that the hookah is quite common in Indian and Middle Eastern societies.  As more and more immigrants come from these regions, their traditions will come with them.  While the assumption made on this forum that what is being sold at the Shell is being used for marijuana is probably accurate, don’t completely discount the chance that it is being used for tobacco.

That is interesting.  In my quick google of hooka’s I did see that they are gaining popularity.  When I saw the picture in wikipedia, I realized that the last time I actually saw one was in a Three Stooges short.  They still crack me up!

velvetstevie - 30 June 2008 04:28 PM

Anyone remember the Sunoco right off 83 north at the Market St. west exit that sold smoking paraphernalia in the 80’s? 

Heck yeah!! I even wore a Linton’s Shirt to KD back then..........  (and never even smoked but don’t tell anyone...Right Joe?)

I smoked, but didnt inhale.....

JustPlainC - 03 July 2008 10:22 AM

I smoked, but didnt inhale.....

You should run for Presindent!

I have always wondered why anyone would want that job.  Other than a meglomaniac.

I don’t ever go to this Shell because it’s out of my way and creepy, but here is another “eww” factor.

They are currently in violation of their Food Safety license.

http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=144560

Bobby102 - 30 June 2008 03:11 PM

Everytime I used to stop there for gas, there was anywhere from 2-8 kids hanging out front of the store smoking.

My teenage son says they sell cigs to kids from his class (underage). Heck....I don’t patronize the &^%$ place. Why should anyone????......oh, except the kids. Who owns it anyway.......a member of our statehouse? They will ALL be locked up soon it sounds like.

I patronize the Shell for a few simple reasons.

- I have a Shell credit card that gives me 5% back on all gas purchases.  I save 20 cents a gallon.
- The don’t water their gas down with 10% ethanol so I get better mileage.
- They have plenty of pumps so I never have to wait for an open pump.

I have never set foot inside the store and probably never will.  I am normally one of the first to take the moral high road and avoid businesses for whatever reason, but in this case I prefer to put my blinders on and just take advantage of the savings/convenience.

Dani S. - 10 July 2008 02:02 PM

I don’t ever go to this Shell because it’s out of my way and creepy, but here is another “eww” factor.

They are currently in violation of their Food Safety license.

http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=144560

I took the liberty of cutting and pasting right from the PA Dept of Agriculture website of all the 17363 locations that were inspected since 2007 and listed their records. Some are not nice, others no big deal in their eyes and the rest squeaky clean - Each “Inspector Comment” line is a seperate violation. Like Shell or not, many places have issues and they chose to fix them because that is their bread and butter. Shell was likely looking to make a little extra and perhaps in their best interest to do it elsewhere than in the food service. Their problems were/are easily addressable but I guess they are still in non compliance 4 months later because they choose not to serve food anymore. Fine by me.

American Legion Post #455
Inspector Comments:  raw beef stored above ready to eat foods in the cooler.

Country Roads Deli
Inspector Comments:  An open employee’s beverage container was observed in a food preparation area.
Inspector Comments: DRIED PRODUCT ON SHAKE MACHINE.

OIP
Inspector Comments:  Raw chicken was stored above bottled water in walk in cooler.
Inspector Comments: meatballs was held at 105 degrees F rather than 135 degrees F or above as required.

Pleasant Valley Golf Club
Inspector Comments:  deli meats were held at 50 degrees F rather than 41 degrees F or below as required.

Rutters
Inspector Comments: product spillage on top food warmer.
Inspector Comments: dust accumulation on nacho cheese dispenser.
Inspector Comments: Black residue, pink slime observed on the interior of the soda machine around nozzels.

Saubels
Inspector Comments:  Chemicals were stored above or on the same shelf with food, equipment, and/or single service articles in the * area.

Stewartstown Presbyterian Church
Inspector Comments:  Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the kitchen area.

Stewartstown Shell
Inspector Comments:  The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the PA Food Code.
Inspector Comments: An open employee’s beverage container was observed in a food preparation area.
Inspector Comments: Warewashing three bay sink blocked by file cabinet and items on top of sink.
Inspector Comments: food contact surfaces of utensils and equipment not washed rinsed and sanitized as required
Inspector Comments: Slicer has an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces and is not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every 4 hours.

Bailey Springs Subway
Inspector Comments:  A food employee was observed touching ready to eat food with his bare hands.

Taylor Haus
Inspector Comments:  A food employee was observed touching ready to eat food with his bare hands.

VFW Post 7046
Inspector Comments:  chicken salad 48 * degrees F rather than 41 degrees F or below as required.

Other places of note with violations not deemed critical by the PA Dept of Agriculture:
China Wok
Eureka Fire Company
My 3 Sons
Stewartstown Elementaty School

Places of note without any viloations in recent history:
Blevins Fruit Farm
Capt Bob’s Crabs
L&L;Service
Lonesome Pine Farms
Messina’s Pizza
Michaels’s Pizzeria
Rite Aid (Eckards)
Summers
Uncle Taters Concessions

Disclaimer: All places except Shell have corrected their mistakes. Take it for what it is worth. There will always be violations, its just a matter of when and where, and whether or not you are visiting on that day is quite random. There could easily be a violation on one day and unknowingly corrected the next, or perhaps the establishment has a good day the inspectors visit or they always are below par and its just a matter of time. Enjoy your dining

And before you laugh at the open drink in a food preparation area, imagine all the times you were making dinner at home with a soda sitting right there.....if the Dept held private homes to the same standards, we all would be in a world of it.