Brick Porcelain Tile and Mosaics Add 30s Vibe to Clearwater, Florida Vape Pub, Craft Parlor

Would you like to see how brick porcelain tile and mosaics can transform the vibe of a space? If you are in the Clearwater, Florida area, you're in luck with The Craft Parlor, a vape pub like no other.

The Craft Parlor is an amazing example of how to use tile, in this case brick tile, glass and metal mosaics and a natural stone tile, to create a luxurious 1930s inspired bar, restaurant and vape pub.

We caught up with co-owner Josh Kaiser as he prepares for the soft opening of The Craft Parlor.

How Brick Porcelain Tile, Mosaics and Stone Tile Helped Create The Craft Parlor's Luxurious 30s Vibe

TOA: Josh, tell us about yourself and the business.

JK: I was born and raised in Florida. I've known my partner Ahmad since I was 7 and Ahmad was 18. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Michigan. I grew up with his 3 other brothers who are my age so he's always been like an older brother.

Ahmad has experience in sales, management, and the restaurant business.

I met Ahmad's younger brother Al who works with us when I was 5 and Al was 3. Ahmad and I both graduated from Tarpon High School. I got my AA in Business at St. Petersburg College, than transferred to University of Central Florida. I met a girl, had a kid, and decided to move back to Palm Harbor and open my own business.

Ahmad and I were working construction at the time together. We were going to open a construction business but we were tired of breathing in dust and chemicals all the time so we decided to open a hookah lounge. We didn't plan on opening a vape pub but one thing led to another and now we are in a better place than we could have ever imagined.

We are 50/50 partners. Right now Ahmad handles the back of the house duties like scheduling and everything to do with food. Once we have a properly trained kitchen staff, he will float around the front and back of the house. His younger brother Al manages everything to do with vape right now, down to the orders, juice menu, and inventory. I handle the alchohol and managing the front of the house. I pick what beer, wine, and sake we carry.

I did most of the creation as far as our image. I picked the name, the logo, and almost every detail in design from menus to decor.

TOA: Tell us about The Craft Parlor.

JK: We are The Craft Parlor, Clearwater’s finest Vape Pub. There is really nothing like us. We offer a lot under one roof.

When you walk in you see a large aquarium behind a 24 seat bar that serves quality craft beer, wine, and sake. As you pan to the right you see a 1930s era, hand-painted mural with a stage and dancefloor -- great for live music.

Welcome to The Craft Parlor, Clearwater's finest Vape Pub!

Opposite our main bar is a 15 seat vape bar with 120+ e-liquid flavors and the newest hardware available. We also have restaurant booths and outdoor seating for a more intimate setting. Wherever you sit you can order a beer, food, and vape at your leisure.

For food we have sushi, appetizers, and chicken tenders with the best fries in the state. Unlike most bars we don’t just serve cheap boring beer. With many different styles and rotating bottle selection there is always something new to try. We are here to celebrate the history of beer and end cigarette smoking once and for all.

Because we do not want underage children vaping, we require all patrons to be 18+.

TOA: What tile products did you select for The Craft Parlor?

JK: We spent almost a year renovating this building and it all started with choosing the right tile. We wanted to make sure our restrooms were not forgotten so we actually started there in the women’s restroom.

For the walls, we went with a glass/metal mosaic tile. This tile is typically chosen for a backsplash but we ran it from where the wall meets the floor to where the wall meets the ceiling. It really brings a feeling of class and luxury.

This product is called Damasco Copper 2x2 Mosaic 12x12.

Closeup of the glass/metal mosaic tile in the Craft Parlor's women's bathrooms.

Here's how glass/metal mosaic tile looks as a wall time in the Craft Parlor's women's bathrooms.

Glass/metal mosaic adds a luxurious feel to the Craft Parlor's women's bathrooms.

Step back and admire how glass/metal mosaic looks luxurious as a wall tile in the Craft Parlor's women's bathrooms.

For the Men’s bathroom wall, we chose a natural stone tile that is typically used on the floor. It’s a man’s version of luxury or a man-cave. Some guys (including me) say they want to cover their whole house in this tile. I actually did my front walkway and back porch in it.

The product is Scabas Travertine Versailles Pattern Unfilled, Brushed and Chiseled Edge consisting of two each of 8x8 and 8x16, three 16x16 and one 16x24 to create the pattern.

The Craft Parlor used natural stone on the walls in the men's bathrooms to create a luxurious man-cave feel.

We also re-tiled a good 2500 square feet of open customer area with a Chicago brick style porcelain tile called London Sunset 5x10 Porcelain Tile.

>> See Brick Floor Tile Collection Creates A Timeless Craftsman Look

It’s not too busy; it doesn’t scream look at me but when you do it looks like high quality. Some people use this tile on the wall but we wanted the brick road look. It matches our modern speakeasy theme well. It has some texture to it giving it an authentic look and a safer surface for customers to walk on.

Brick porcelain tile on the floors matches the modern speakeasy theme.

Our front ramp needed to be re-tiled and with the safer texture there was no better choice than to continue the brick tile.

Brick porcelain tile on the front ramp adds texture, safety and style.

TOA: Josh, what have been the reactions so far?

JK: Everyone who sees our project is blown away.

As a business, it was important to us that every picture taken by a customer had a great backdrop and we achieved that goal. Social media can elevate your business or destroy it. Customer pictures are all over social media so we saw this project as a marketing cost and opportunity.

TOA: How did you hear about Tile Outlets of America? What were your reactions to shopping there for this project?

JK: Shopping at Tile Outlets of America was great! They have a great selection. With tile, you usually choose between a good price and quality, but with Tile Outlets we got both.

TOA: Any suggestions/advice for someone who’s never visited the store?

JK: As for advice, I recommend you make sure that all the tile you need is available at once. This will help with your timetable and ensure your project finishes smoothly.

TOA: How can readers find The Craft Parlor?

JK: The best way to keep up with The Craft Parlor is to come see us at 25032 US Hwy 19 N in Clearwater, Florida or follow us at www.craftparlor.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/craftparlor and @thecraftparlor on Instagram. If you like and share our pages we appreciate the support.

TOA: Josh, thank you and congratulations!

We hope you'll visit The Craft Parlor to see for yourself how brick porcelain tile on the floors, glass and metal mosaics on the walls and natural stone wall can completely transform a space into a luxurious 30s-inspired modern speakeasy feel.

And, then, come visit Tile Outlets of America in Tampa so we can help you do something similar in your space!