LYNN — Jolly Vapors’ petition to operate its adult-use tobacco business at a new location on Chatham Street was unanimously denied by the City Council at its recent public hearing.
After being closed for more than a year, Jolly Vapors has submitted several permit applications to get back up and running; however, the chosen location has raised concerns among city councilors.
Chatham Street’s Zoning District falls under Ward 2 Councilor Obed A. Matul’s representation, where he has taken a magnifying glass to a large safety concern of putting an adult tobacco use business in the area.
“The location that they want to go to is about three blocks away from Lynn English High School,” Matul said. “We have a lot of youth, and with the violations that they have allowed minors to buy tobacco products, that’s a safety concern. Three blocks up the street, we also have Hood Elementary, which is another school with little children.”
Matul mentioned more than five different incidents involving improper practice at the tobacco store, spanning back six years.
In April 2020, the City’s Health Director reported to the Lynn Police Department (LPD) that Jolly Vapors appeared to be open when they were supposed to be closed due to being categorized as a non-essential business during COVID, Matul said.
A year later, in April 2021, Matul stated that a minor was permitted to enter Jolly Vapors and purchase a flavored nicotine product during an unannounced compliance check.
“This transaction resulted in three violations for which Jolly Vapors was fined $8,000, and their license was suspended for 37 days,” Matul said.
In October 2023, the LPD arrived at the current location, 104 Woodman St., after receiving reports of a Trunk or Treat event the business was sponsoring and hosting. This event is where participants open their car trunks and decorate them with spooky themes, and have children walk from car to car collecting candy.
In May 2025, multiple shootings occurred during that spring and summer in Barry Park near the business, and “although the Lynn Police Department has not been able to conclude or have any evidence that the shootings have any connection to Jolly Vapors, this is still a safety concern because they were within the proximity,” Matul said.
Later that month, on May 23, 2025, an Inspectional Services code enforcement officer conducted an inspection on the business’s property, where they found a locked space containing “hundreds if not thousands” of vaping products that are illegal in the state of Massachusetts, Matul shared.
After receiving more complaints about the business on July 3, 2025, the Inspectional Services Department issued a cease and desist order to the property owner and landlord, informing them that there were several unapproved occupancies at the property that brought public safety concerns, Matul said.
After hearing Matul’s presentation, the council voted unanimously to deny Jolly Vapors’ petition.
With this ruling, Jolly Vapors will remain closed without any known future relocations.
