Two years after the Half Door in Hartford’s West End shut down, a smoke shop appears poised to take its place. Signs for Union Spot Exotics have been installed above the building at 270 Sisson Ave.

“I think we’re still trying to grasp ... how tragic this is. We don’t know half of it,” Luna said. “I’ve seen a lot of tragedy in my 40 years doing this job, but this one is — it’s ...