Reggie Bullock, business partners requesting City Council approval to open a Hookah Lounge

The City Council will vote Tuesday on a conditional use permit requested by Carolina Ice Company for a private club and hookah lounge. The permit is to open a new business owned in part by former Kinston and UNC standout Reggie Bullock, who now plays for the NBA’s New York Knicks.

Kinston City Planner Adam Short said the vote should be held on Tuesday, “unless the Council chooses to table the item for some reason, this is aways at their discretion.”

“We aren’t going for a club environment,” said manager Henry C. Bratcher. “We want an upscale hookah environment.”

The current plans are to open right away depending on the City Council vote to approve the conditional use permit needed to open.

“We want to utilize the facility for the City Council members when they have their meetings, businesses that want to have their business meetings here,” said Bratcher. “It is set up in a very professional manner.”

Once open, the Mi Kiosha Hookah Lounge, located at 800 W Vernon Ave B will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm through 12:00 am, Friday and Saturday from 6:00 pm through 2:00 am and closed Sunday through Tuesday.

Reggie Bullock will be making appearances at his club to promote and grow the business. From the lounge’s summary, "Mi Kiosha Hookah Lounge and Bar. A smooth, classy, elegant environment to ease your mind, relax and just enjoy Hookah smoking and tasting some of the most flavorful tobacco in the coolest Hookah's, as well as your favorite drinks with your friends and family.”

“We will be hiring staff, about two or three to start with,” said Bratcher.

A hookah is a single or multi-stemmed instrument for heating or vaporizing and then smoking tobacco or tobacco-like products.