City Council OKs age hike to for tobacco products

The Tucson City Council this week voted to increase the age to purchase tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, to 21 from 18.

The ordinance is only applicable within city limits and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Violation of the ordinance results in a fine of $500 for first-time offenses and higher fines, suspension of license and waiting period to reapply for license for further violations.

Tucson is now the fifth city in Arizona to enforce such an ordinance. The other cities that have adopted T21, as it's commonly called, are Cottonwood, Douglas, Flagstaff and Goodyear.

According to a report, there are currently 412 active tobacco licenses in Tucson, which amounts to $40,000 in licensing fees for the city each year.

There is a push to make the law statewide and including vaping products under the same stringent rules. Currently, vape products can be sold under a general retail license and do not require a tobacco sales license. For the full report on the statewide movement, see the full story here. 

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New Korean BBQ spot opening

San Diego-based Taegukgi Korean BBQ house will open a Tucson location in the former Fuddruckers location at 6118 E. Speedway.

Sister owners Annie Hogue and Grace Lee this week closed on the property, which they purchased for $1.3 million, according to a report.

In addition to the barbecue restaurant, the 7,400-square-foot space will be divided and house the sisters' Korean Rose boba shop. Both businesses currently only have locations in San Diego, where the sisters reside.

The renovation and work to divide the space is expected to be complete by late next Summer or early Fall.

Taegukgi will be Tucson's third Korean barbecue restaurant. The popular dining option allows diners to pick out and cook their own marinated meats and vegetables on table-side grills.

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Cat lounge set to open

Bring your lint roller, because Tucson is getting its first cat lounge!

El Jefe Cat Lounge, which is home to 20 adoptable cats ranging in age from 1 to 12 years old, will have its soft opening Oct. 31 at 3025 North Campbell Ave.

The temporary resident kitties come from Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter and Sanctuary, and for $10 an hour, you can love them up while you enjoy a snack and drink or find the perfect new member of your family. All adoptions are done through Hermitage.

In addition to lap time with the cats, El Jefe will host other events like yoga classes, movie nights and private parties.

For more information, see El Jefe's web site. 

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Entertainment lounge Round 1 opens

Get ready for sensory overload.

Round 1 Bowling & Amusement is now open in the Park Place Mall.

There are two stories of games for everyone, including bowling, billiards, arcade games, karaoke rooms and a dining and bar area.

The Japanese entertainment concept moved into the former Sears site and revamped the 44,000-square-foot space for pure entertainment.

Round 1 is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and is open during all major holidays. The venue also offers memberships that offer discounts and specials and offers all-you-can-eat, play and drink party packages for children.

This is the first Arizona location for Round 1. The Japanese company expanded to the United States in 2008 opening its first location in City of Industry, Calif. The comoany now has opened or is planning to open a total of 62 locations across the U.S.

For prices and more information, see Round 1.