The former Tobacco Bell opened Thursday with new owners and a new name.

The tobacco shop in the strip mall off of Highway 218 is now called BLS Tobacco, which is taken from the initials of the new owners.

Larry and Sharon Houff, former Austin residents who live in Maple Grove, and Larry Houff's brother Bill Houff of Austin purchased the business from Yousef Abuhakal.

Abuhakal is moving to Minneapolis to work in the restaurant business, Larry Houff said.

It seemed like business as usual Thursday as regular customers streamed in and out of the shop. BLS Tobacco offers the same product line as Tobacco Bell, except for one. It no longer sells glass pipes.

"My wife said, 'No, no we don't want to do that anymore," Larry Houff said.

BLS Tobacco sells domestic and imported cigarettes, cigars, pipes and loose tobacco. The store also sells lighters, humidors, tobacco accessories, incense holders and hemp jewelry.

Larry Houff admits he never thought he would own a tobacco store. He and his wife don't smoke, but Bill Houff was manager of the store. When Abuhakal decided to sell it, the opportunity to be part owner in a business became available.

"It's been exasperating," Larry Houff said. "The amount of effort that has to go into this. It's just so much work."

Especially considering owning the store isn't his full-time job. Larry Houff is a financial analyst for the state of Minnesota. Although he and his wife visit family in Austin often, he will have to travel south more than before.

But Larry Houff remains optimistic. The store has a large selection of cigars, kept fresh in case with a humidifier. He also said they have one of the largest selections of foreign-made cigarettes in the area.

The store does not support youth smoking, the owners said. The store cards anyone who looks younger than 18 and no one under 18 is allowed in the store without a parent. On the wall of the store is a certificate stating it passed the 2001 tobacco compliance check.

BLS Tobacco is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com