As HQ Magazine celebrates its 25th anniversary, we’d like to take a moment and reflect on a journey that began in 1999 when Roger Kay and Ralph Garza envisioned a publication that would unite, solidify, and empower what had traditionally been a fragmented market. At a time when the head shop and smoke shop industry was in the shadows, Roger and Ralph’s pioneering spirit brought cohesion and credibility, establishing HeadQuest as the first and most widely-read voice in the space. Through their vision, a loose network of artisans, artists and fringe entrepreneurs became a thriving community, paving the way for a now flourishing cannabis marketplace. Today, we honor this enduring legacy and the impact HQ continues to have through a meticulously curated assortment of quotes from some of the industry’s best and brightest.
HeadQuest Magazine helped pioneer an industry; they turn stoners into business people and business people into stoners! Thanks for helping us in our quest for the latest products and trends!
Staying ahead of trends is crucial in a competitive industry like ours. I rely on HQ Magazine to keep me informed on what’s happening now, the hottest new items, and emerging trends. It’s all about staying current to make the right moves for my smoke shop & rolling equipment company.
What a long strange trip it’s been, happy anniversary HQ, a staple of the ever changing industry that’s covered the ups and downs, innovations and the people who’ve made this industry great.
The crossover between the adult and smoke industries is growing, and HQ Magazine is leading the charge with vision and expertise. Their understanding of both markets and commitment to quality and insightful content makes them an incredible partner!
I opened my first smoke shop in 1993 and HBI in 1997. We were one of the first advertisers in HQ Magazine and it has paid off for us tremendously! Ours is a very quickly changing industry with trends coming and going faster than ever. We rely on HQ to show us what items are trending and staying current to make the right moves for our own products and for our community of customers!
Happy 25th to HQ !!! I appreciate all the kind words and support for my brands you have given me since I started in the industry 15yrs ago.
Doobtubes, LLC has been in business for 17 years. The only magazine that has been around as long as us is HQ Magazine. I have received an issue every month since we started and regularly advertise with them. They have been a joy to work with!!!
We’ve partnered with HQ Magazine since 2010, and it’s been a vital springboard for Phresh Picks. We’ve increased our budget yearly because HQ remains a standout advertising outlet, even in this digital age. Clients still mention seeing our ads in HQ , which drives our business. The team feels like part of our industry family, and HQ ’s impact on our success is undeniable. As we celebrate 15 years, we proudly say HQ is the best print publication in the industry. Happy anniversary!
HeadQuest has been a reliable guide showcasing industry greats! I love to see my favorite glass blowers, shops and vendors in its pages!! Cheers to 25 years and cheers to 25 more!
Now, A Few Words More Words from Mitch Kirsner
If there’s anyone who can speak to the cultural and historical significance of HQ Magazine, it’s Mitch Kirsner, founder and owner of Fantasy in Newport News, VA. Now defunct after 33 years in business, Fantasy was a rare gem of eclectic funkiness that provided a haven for the freaks, geeks and all manner of dissidents who dwelled on the margins, offering a rich and carefully curated assortment of records, clothing, pipes, incense, and everything between. The closure of Fantasy in 2018 left behind a gaping hole in the local culture from which Southeast Virginia has yet to recover.
When I started working part time at a local head shop around 1972, there were no trade magazines, no internet and few resources of any kind for smoke shops. The few attempts at small trade shows generally just led to raids and prosecution. Everyone had to be VERY careful. Surveillance was regular; I was even followed driving around and to my home. Customers had better not ask for a bong or compromise in any way asking for anything at all other than a device for tobacco. Finding new merchandise was generally one supplier recommending you to another. It would be a couple years before High Times would come along which helped spread the word for both the shops and manufacturers. Fast forward 50 years and the kids today that have the trade shows, internet, and trade magazines will never know or appreciate what we old timers went through; the struggle to find merchandise, the regular raids right after the trade shows, the prosecution. When HQ Magazine came along about 25 years ago it was at a time of rapid expansion in the industry. Slowly, but surely the raids tapered off on the national level because of the style and attention they helped bring to the industry. Shop owners could see for the first time how other shops were set up and new suppliers were quickly discovered, and it was a big boon to the industry, in particular for the small shops that couldn’t make it to the trade shows. I was a regular reader of the magazine and it helped inspire me in merchandising and display–and just to do better overall. A big Happy 25th Anniversary to HQ Magazine and may you last at least another 25 years! While after 33 years in the business with my own store and another 10 years previous to that in others and retiring a few years ago, I still love to look through the magazine to see what’s happening!
