NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – Two smoke shops on Chapel Street have closed in recent months as the city cracks down on those breaking the law.

Chapel Smoke Shop is closed up, cleared out and dark inside. The shop was raided in early April when state agents and New Haven police claimed illegal cannabis was being sold there.

Anesthesia, located one block up, suddenly closed this month. The store was licensed to sell e-cigarettes, nicotine and tobacco. Connecticut’s Attorney General said the store got caught selling high THC cannabis products in February and then was nabbed again in March.

Mayor Justin Elicker said the illegal products are unregulated and could be dangerous for people.

“A lot of these smoke shops are a real detriment to the neighborhood,” Elicker said.

Last spring, New Haven put a new ordinance in place giving its health department more oversight with licenses, inspections and fines.

The city can now also limit where new stores can go. Specifically, they cannot be near an existing smoke shop, a church, a school or park.

As for the two locations downtown near the Green and their future use, it is a little tricky thanks to zoning regulations.

“If a smoke shop closes, another smoke shop can move in, however if a smoke shop closes and there is another use in between, it can never be a smoke shop again,” Elicker said.

Gabriel Mendoza, a New Haven resident, said he often saw a crowd at Chapel Smoke Shop.

“A lot of people would hang around here, underage children would ask older people to buy them smokes,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said he is not surprised the shops shut down. He hopes a different type of tenant will set up shop soon.

“I feel like these smoke shops have a negative impact on the community,” Mendoza said. “There’s a lot of stores probably selling stuff they’re not supposed to.”

The mayor said if there is a shop in a neighborhood where someone thinks something illegal is taking place, they should let the city know. The city will pay a visit and investigate.