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Favorite things about your local shop....

Smoky the BearSmoky the Bear Posts: 51
in General Discussion
In my opinion one of the best things about enjoying a fine cigar is the experience. In college we had a great local shop that had a real laid back environment, game tables and, in addition to a great selection of cigars, a full bar. The guys who ran the place were great. What are some of the things you all enjoy most about your favorite shop?
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Comments

  • betasynnbetasynn Posts: 1,249 ✭
    My place has monthly or bi-monthly events, sells a few exclusives, has a hand-roller come in every other week from a great brand, has huge leather chairs, a big screen TV, and has a BYOB policy, and an outdoor grill. All of this is overshadowed by the community, which lives up to the motto the cigar store was given: Come as strangers, leave as friends.
  • Jetmech_63Jetmech_63 Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
    I love my little B&M. In CA you cant really get around the high prices but the owner(Pops) offsets it with stellar service! Lots of plush couches, 3 big plasma screens, superb selection, byob is in effect, they offer a military discount and once youve been going there for a while and he sees what you like he'll occasionally throw in a freebie based on his reccommendations. Cool little spot. Also has a bunch of events with free food, discount beer and 1/2 off the featured cigar.
  • LasabarLasabar Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭
    The shop near where I live is good if you want a time to relax and just have a few drinks (most of which are on special if you buy a cigar) but the selection is that of what I thought was good when I started smoking, now it's just full of "Cuba Cuba" and seconds with a shelf of dusty graycliffs (read expensive)

    The place is really nice and upscale but if they had a better selection it would be a favorite hang out


    NOW... the place near where I work is the best one in Wisconsin and has all the good stuff, the exclusives, an owner that knows his shtuff and they have an extensive line of gurkha and davidoff as well as the same amenities as the previously mentioned shop but with micro-brews on tap and really nice accessories on sale (read I've never seen a dupont lighter until this place) and they have monthly if not more events and they have allot of pull with the big guys of cigars (I've seen some big wigs from Drew Estates, I've met Rocky Patel and others and one of the stops on the Cigar Aficionado golf and cigars trip last year was at this shop!!!)

    I love going in and just asking one simple question... "WHAT'S NEW!"
  • undulacundulac Posts: 1,129 ✭
    I have two and they both stink. One was okay for talk, but he closed recently due to some health issues and opened up a small shop where you can just purchase, no sitting. The other is a nice shop with drinks and some munchies. The problem is that cigarette smokers have taken over and most of them are the retired guys that sit there all day. If you go and sit with some friends, they take over your conversation yelling the whole time and make you feel that you're invading their space. The owner doesn't have the zigs to tell them to get out even though they don't spend a nickle in there. I would love to open my own. Tim, Alex, Staff!! Any suggestions? Let's do this.
  • xmacroxmacro Posts: 3,402 ✭
    Only 1 place in St. Petersberg, and isn't a good place. The selection is terrible, and all their hand-rolled/house cigars are overpriced (they start at $8/stick) - the couches are plush, but not enough tv's and the owner doesn't seem to carry any cigars I like (no nubs, Oliva's, Verdaderos, only a few Ashtons, etc) - mostly just maduro's and other high-end cigars that go for $12/stick that I can't afford (even then, they don't have any Cohiba's). They charge too much for beer too - no way I'm paying $4 for a bottle of Coors

    So yeah, I get everything online >_>
  • phobicsquirrelphobicsquirrel Posts: 7,347 ✭✭✭
    I have a couple very small shops around me, they close early and aren't too stocked, but nice service. The large shop is about 20 or so minutes away from me, and though they have a big selection they are more expensive than online which is common but they also seem to not get the new cigars in or the harder to find cigars. At times I'm surprised as they do get some goodies in. I just don't make it down there enough. There's a some-what finished cigar bar, has some plush couches and tables with a big screen tv but the bar is barely stocked and no beer/wine/or hard stuff. The service there sucks as the staff is always in the cigar shop. I'm not sure if there isn't enough money to finish the bar or staff it but it is a real drag. It's better than nothing, and it's the only one around so it's not bad. I'd be there more if I lived closer, I just don't see the point to drive all the way there, spend 2 hours then drive back. I go there if I'm in the area.
  • plaidbanana1plaidbanana1 Posts: 187 ✭
    xmacro:
    Only 1 place in St. Petersberg, and isn't a good place. The selection is terrible, and all their hand-rolled/house cigars are overpriced (they start at $8/stick) - the couches are plush, but not enough tv's and the owner doesn't seem to carry any cigars I like (no nubs, Oliva's, Verdaderos, only a few Ashtons, etc) - mostly just maduro's and other high-end cigars that go for $12/stick that I can't afford (even then, they don't have any Cohiba's). They charge too much for beer too - no way I'm paying $4 for a bottle of Coors

    So yeah, I get everything online >_>
    No Cohibas? Thats blasphemy! I've only been to one shop at home. The staff seems to be very knowledgeable, decent selection, a few leather chairs, and a bunch of old guys that hang out there. By the way, they cary Cohibas.
  • Garen BGaren B Posts: 977
    The shop that I go to is cool, great selection, owners are really knowledgeable and you can just sit and shoot the breeze with pretty much anyone. There's a cigar bar on the other side of town, sorta got a weird vibe from it and a guy I herfed with last week confirmed my suspicion that the owner of it was a douche. But, I like the shop that I go to, every is laid back and even if the other guy dropped prices by a ton, I still wouldn't go there because I wouldn't get treated nearly as well there. Just goes to show you, customer service goes a whole lot farther than anything else.
  • PuroFreakPuroFreak Posts: 4,131 ✭✭
    My local shop is great! They always have big events with some of the biggest names in the cigar world, they have a nice lounge with big leather chairs, big flat panel TVs, BYOB, and a big humidor with a GREAT selection of smokes!

    http://www.cigarshopandmore.com/pictures.html#location1

    Pictures 7, 8, and 9 are in the humidor of my local shop! GREAT place!
  • kuzi16kuzi16 Posts: 14,633 ✭✭✭✭
    the best part of my local shop is two fold.

    1) i can smoke inside. this is a rare thing because of ohios indoor smoking laws.

    B) one of the guys that works there probably rivals Alex in the volume of cigar knowledge. I feel like every time i walk in there i learn something. He is one of the few people that i know (IRL) that i can just sit down and discuss the philosophy behind different styles of blending cigars.
    Kuzi's Forum Links Page
  • blustar4lifeblustar4life Posts: 36
    Puro, that is a sweet shop. I am going to have to look that one up when I am down there. I've got two places to choose from here. the first one i went to the guy was helpful in picking out some cigars and a new lighter. The other one i just visited the first time last week. it was more of an in and out cigar run. They both have a smoking room w/ tv's and stuff but I didn't take time to check them out. hmmmm, sounds like a weekend project.
  • FourtotheflushFourtotheflush Posts: 2,555 ✭
    1 - big comfortable couches

    2 - being inside in a regular environment(not a garage, attic or basement)
    -----Ditto Kuzi's point as smoking inside is banned in MA
    3 - typically going with a buddy or two just to hang and relax!


    There is a place called Churchils in boston I have been wanting to try out. Ill hit this place my next time out with the guys.
  • jihiggsjihiggs Posts: 469 ✭✭
    closest thing I have is the brewry that teamed up with a local cigar shop. outdoor smoking only though, stupid washington state. but they have propane heaters and a cover for the rain. people are pretty cool, beer is good. every other week they have a club night.
  • havanaalhavanaal Posts: 155 ✭✭
    My B&M is so great, it tends to be crowded! At peak hours there's a line to check out with your smokes. Amazing. Great selection. Great service. My only complaint is that none of the prices are marked, which is the ONLY cigar store I've been in in my life that doesn't bother.
  • rdnstnrdnstn Posts: 993 ✭✭
    The only real good thing about my B&M other than being able to smoke indoors is that they have many cigars that I haven't seen in many other places including CCOM
  • alienmisprintalienmisprint Posts: 3,964 ✭✭✭
    Being a new resident of Lousiana, I wouldn't say I have a favorite local B&M yet, but I did find a very promising one today, The Cigar Club in Lake Charles. I am stoked about it, it looks like a great lounge with an awesome selection, a very comfortable lounge area, and a full bar.
  • gmill880gmill880 Posts: 5,947 ✭
    alienmisprint:
    Being a new resident of Lousiana, I wouldn't say I have a favorite local B&M yet, but I did find a very promising one today, The Cigar Club in Lake Charles. I am stoked about it, it looks like a great lounge with an awesome selection, a very comfortable lounge area, and a full bar.

    Sounds like a great place Tony ...glad you found it...so you about all settled in in LA...
  • jeff_connorsjeff_connors Posts: 483
    The fermented tobacco smell that hits you when you first open the door is great!
    Other than that, nothing really, all the tobacco products are behind sheets like porno videos in a convince store.
  • 4bob44bob4 Posts: 212

    In lenox square mall we have a combo "Vino 100/Tinderbox"  Selection is pretty good they definately love their Davidoff's.  Selection seems to rotate which is good if you're looking for something new but not so great if you want an old standby and they dont have any (i.e. the box of ashton cabinets I recently wanted).  With it being in a mall there is no smoking allowed but the staff are very knowledgeable about the cigars and the wine and the prices aren't too bad either.

     

    What's B&M stand for?

  • gmill880gmill880 Posts: 5,947 ✭
    b&m = BRICK AND MORTAR
  • LasabarLasabar Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭
    In the spirit of this thread I had to ask an opinion of you guys. I've been to several different cigars shops and they all had varying degrees of service:

    Do you guys prefer a shop that leaves you alone and doesn't bother you or do you like a shop that walks in the humidor with you and talks to you while you shop?

    Personally I like to be left alone, I believe that I can find and get what I want and don't need chitchat... except for the really nice shop by my work, I can talk to those guys all day!
  • brsmith21brsmith21 Posts: 207
    I have to agree; I usually prefer to be left alone to shop. I don't mind a brief introduction/can I help you find anything, but don't follow me around like I'm a teenager in a convenience store about to shoplift. That gets old fast and also gets the shop out of my regular rotation pretty quick.
  • gmill880gmill880 Posts: 5,947 ✭
    I just need to know their there if I need them thats all...
  • kuzi16kuzi16 Posts: 14,633 ✭✭✭✭
    i like it when they are in there so i can discuss the cigar at hand. i have learned a ton of stuff from doing this.
    Kuzi's Forum Links Page
  • LukoLuko Posts: 2,003 ✭✭
    I prefer they leave me alone...I really have all the knowledge I need at this point. Ok, just kidding, but I do hate to be annoyed. I like to browse, think about what I'm getting, etc. without someone hovering over me. When I have a question, or am ready, by all means, hover away.
  • nightmaremike31nightmaremike31 Posts: 718 ✭✭✭
    I wouldn't mind talking cigars with the people in my local shop, but I get the feeling I'm more of an inconvenience than a valued customer. They are a bunch of old guys, not that old guys are bad, but I just get that snoody, eye rolling, and the "uh" or "sigh" when I ask them questions about specific cigars. So needless to say, I still indeed go there and get left alone, not by choice. I would like to talk to them, but they just don't want to talk to me. Maybe I should try to get a second job there...
  • clearlysuspectclearlysuspect Posts: 2,124 ✭✭✭✭
    I can tell you what I hate about my local shop: the fact that it doesn't exist! Stupid Southern Maryland...... grrrrr!
  • laker1963laker1963 Posts: 5,046
    clearlysuspect:
    I can tell you what I hate about my local shop: the fact that it doesn't exist! Stupid Southern Maryland...... grrrrr!
    I'm with you on that ! I live in Canada where it is too expensive and over regulated to make it worth having a true B&M. In the largest cities the B&M's would likely make most of you boys laugh with the pathetic stock and over priced Cubans and premium sticks. I refuse to even go into them anymore.
  • 4bob44bob4 Posts: 212
    I'm with gmill and some others. I like a "do you have any questions or anything" "no? ok just let me know if you need anything" and then they leave me alone. It's good to know they can answer a question if I have one. On the same note I do really like the guys at my local store they do a good job of taking in what I have enjoyed and recommending some others similar and some that "Aren't like what I've been smoking but I will probably enjoy it".
  • GrahamcrackerGrahamcracker Posts: 13
    I started going to my local shop in CA, because it seemed nice, they had comfy chairs lounge areas, plasma screens, ect.  Then I befriended the owner, I am young only 20 so I am definitely the youngest guy who is ever in the shop.

     I learned he use to be a film producer on movies like The Hills Have Eyes and all that. I am a screenwriter, and director with a few minor credits trying to work my way up. We really hit it off, so I started bringing in my filmmaker friends and now we have a movie night every Wednesday where we smoke talk, watch, and pitch new ideas our plan is to all work togeather to do a low budget feature real soon. Its great because it all happened from smokin cigars at my local shop, I made a lot of good friends there. The internet definetly has the best prices but nothing beats the people you can meet from your local lounge.


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