Free Coffee Goes Up In Smoke

Posted by: Tristan

In yet another example of why it’s usually a bad idea to have the government make lifestyle choices for the people, New York City is hassling a tobacco store owner for having a $9,000 coffee machine in his cigar shop, Barclay Rex.

Vince Nastri III, third-generation proprietor of the palace of puff, said his problems started in June when Health Department inspectors came to check up on complaints that cigar odors were wafting to the upper floors of the building at 75 Broad Street, according to the paper.

That complaint was unfounded, but an inspector noticed the coffee machine, which customers used to make free espressos and cappuccinos, and said it was illegal.

Nastri was issued a citation, which can lead to fines between $200 and $2000, and now finds himself between a rock and a hard place. Even to give coffee away for free he needs a permit to operate as a food-service establishment, but then smoking would be banned in his shop.

Who benefits from this?