We’ve received word from a reader that the owner of the Ballard Smoke Shop, Tom Economou, passed away a few days ago. He was the owner of the Smoke Shop for 42 years. Angela, his daughter and business partner, will continue to run the bar, as she had since he entered semi-retirement, according to Marsha Erickson, who has tended bar there for 34 years.
“The Smoke Shop is not going away. That’s the best part about this place,” Erickson said. “The whole family is just wonderful.”
Tom’s funeral is on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Demetrios in Montlake. The Smoke Shop will be closed that day.
We’ll update when we learn more.
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