Shreve City Voices Concerns Over New Hookah Lounge Plans

Residents are expected to line up to opposed a proposed hookah bar in the Shreve City area.

Where Is Proposed Hookah Lounge Site in Shreveport?

Haifah Hookah Lounge and Café is proposing to open a business at 1134 Shreveport Barksdale Highway. This is the location of the former Gamers XP which has relocated in Shreve City.

What Are the Planned Hours

This hookah lounge would be open from noon until midnight Sunday through Thursday and from noon until 1am Friday and Saturday nights.
The zoning for this property is current C-2. Putting a hookah lounge at that location would require a special use permit.

Will the Hookah Lounge Serve Alcohol

The proposal from Muhtez Ghazawneh says no alcohol would be served at this business. The application about says there will be no outdoor seating and “no amplified or live music will be played.”

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In a letter to residents, Ghazawneh says “all music and entertainment will be kept to a low background level suitable for conversation.”

This proposal comes just months after a similar plan in Southern Hills faced strong opposition and was eventually withdrawn.

Previous Hookah Bar Plan Met Heavy Pushback

Earlier this year, a developer proposed opening a hookah bar at the corner of Kingston Road and Bert Kouns in Southern Hills. The idea quickly drew attention and concern from the surrounding neighborhood.

At a Southern Hills Neighborhood Association meeting, residents cited worries over traffic, noise, and late-night operating hours. Many felt a hookah bar didn’t fit within the neighborhood.

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The proposal for the Southern Hills business drew skepticism from residents who questioned the no-alcohol policy. They brought up concerns that a hookah lounge is not likely successful without alcohol.

The same concerns are expected to be raised about this proposal in the Shreve City area.

New Location Along Shreveport-Barksdale Highway

The new proposed site sits in a commercial strip next to Podnuh’s BBQ, in the same building that previously housed Gamers XP.
While this area is zoned for commercial use, there are homes right behind this operation. Residents are worried about the late night hours and the parking congestion this could generate.

Public Meeting Scheduled for November 5

A public meeting to discuss the proposal is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the proposed location on Shreveport Barksdale Highway.
Residents are invited to attend, hear directly from the developers, and share their feedback before the project moves forward.