Yucky's is now Lucky

The former Yucky's space on Main Highway is now Lucky 14 Gifts, transformed into a new place by Noel Garcia, who also owns New Age Body Piercing and Grove Ink, the tattoo place, both on Grand Avenue. This sign is the original Yucky's sign from the 1960s, the black wood framing it, was taken from the original shelves in the store.

Lucky 14 Gifts will be about 60% smoke shop and the rest will be gifts and novelty items like collectible lunch boxes and antique salt and pepper shakers, coffee cups and things like that. Along with the smoke items will be fine cigars and humidors.

There's a party Wednesday, June 5, starting at 7 pm, to welcome Lucky 14 to the neighborhood. Stop by for champagne and cupcakes and hors d'oeuvres will be served, too.

"I wanted to make it more Grove-like," said Noel, regarding the transformation. "I wanted it to look good and clean. After 44 years, I wanted to make it up to date."

The staff has been working hard and the place does look great. They didn't want me taking many photos because they want you to stop by and see it all for yourself.

Lucky 14 Gifts is at 3418 Main Highway. Same phone number as Yucky's: 305-444-4997.

I loved the little Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pipes because not too long ago, I interviewed Kevin Eastman, the co-creator of the Ninja Turtles, for the Huffington Post and I sort of got close to the characters during the process.