Orange Resident Opens Hookah Lounge in Milford

For Sammer Karout his dream of opening the first hookah lounge in Milford have finally come true after several years of battles.

Karout, of Orange, who has owned the Olive Tree restaurant since 2008, had tried to open the hookah lounge at 2009 Bridgeport Avenue in 2009 but it was shut down by the city over health and smoking concerns, the Milford Mirror reports.

Karout then battled the Planning and Zoning Board over the issue for seven years before he received approval to open in 2012, but it required more renovations including adding a ventilation system, the Mirror reports.

City health officials at the time adamantly opposed the project, which didn’t help Karout’s cause at the time.

Here is more information on the Olive Tree Hookah Lounge via Karout’s website:

Welcome to Milford’s only Hookah Lounge, the Olive Tree Hookah Lounge. Enjoy the flavors, sights, and sounds of a Mediterranean Paradise, as you relax, surrounded by music, and enjoy one of 20 varieties of Shisha, in our one-of-a-kind lounge.

Open 7 nights a week

Private Rentals . Hourly rates (additonal charge for Hookah or Food). Call for details.

Hookah is just $20 with clay head, or $25 with fresh fruit head, $35 with pineaple head (tax included).

No food or beverage is served, but you may bring your own, or order from the Olive Tree Restaurant, right next door.

You must be 18 years of age or older to visit Olive Tree Hookah Lounge.

Olive Tree Hookah Lounge uses only disposable hoses and tips on all of our hookah