• Hi Guest - Come check out all of the new CP Merch Shop! Now you can support CigarPass buy purchasing hats, apparel, and more...
    Click here to visit! here...

What's your local shop like?

D

DarrenR

I swear I am number 8!
Joined
Jan 5, 2001
Messages
963
:cool: One of the reasons besides the 2 ankle biters I have been so scarce for a few years was my local shop switched owners and the new guy was a *&##@#$**er. It put me off that I had no local connections. I am usually smoking alone. The cigars are still good but the conversation never changes. LOL :laugh: I was in Columbus this weekend and visited a local shop called "Pipes & Pleasures" and I must absolutely recommend this shop if you are ever in Columbus it's in Whitetail. It also gave me the fever again to find a local shop. Akron on the other hand is different. shops are scarce and I am going to the last one in the county that I have not tried and been disappointed in since my home base shop was stole from me. LOL
Marcsheldon got me thinking since he is opening a shop that this may be a good thread.
What makes your local or dream shop the best?
For me it was all about the people that worked the shop. I went every Saturday for years to smoke, drink and talk about whatever. The great cigars where always there or I brought them with me. It was comfortable. Like a great old coat or that last pear of jeans filled with holes your wife wants to get rid of but you keep wearing. It wasn't flashy, pretty or with the times but it fit and I loved it. So, I have one last hope for a new home.
Lets hear your thought?
DarrenR
 
For about 5 years I hung out 4-5 times a week at Regency Cigar Emporium in East Greenwich Rhode Island. They have a very nice lounge in the back with big screen tv, wifi and a bar where you can store your own booze. The owner is a great guy and we had a great crew that hung out, played cards and bull shitted the days away. It was one of the things I missed most by moving to Florida.

If anyone is ever in that area do not hesitate to check it out. They have an awesome walk in humidor with an excellent selection of all the good stuff. They do have an on line site and their prices are pretty good. If you ever want to order from them, call first and ask for Mike the owner. Tell him you are a friend of Harris and he will cut you some great deals.Make sure you only talk to Mike.
 
I too also usually smoke alone or with my Father and brother. One of the places I started to frequent is on 71 St & 1 Ave. What I like is the fact that when I first started going there I knew nobody. It was really nice how the owners treated me and everybody in there just started talking to you after they saw you a few times. They have a really nice lounge to sit and have a smoke. Nice leather couches and a flat panel TV... when othing is on TV they always have the Jazz station on. Next door to the place is a nice coffee shop, Cappucino (sp) or Espresso.

I know that they sell lockers but I never inquired how much. I do know that at night all of the regulars come in and play a movie or watch whatever sports game is on. I believe the have a "private club" which is how they get away with some of the guys bringing in their own alcohol.

This is what I am gonna miss when I move.... When I walk in to the place, they all know it's Tuesday.
 
Oh, I can only dream. However, I am only a few hours from Columbus (and directly south from Akron). I have been meaning to take a Saturday away from the grind and make my way to a nice B&M. Thanks for the suggestion. And good luck on your search.

Nate
 
While we're being all Midwesterny - Maison Edwards in Ann Arbor, MI near campus is a great shop. It has that old feel, you know? I'm a fixture there.

Edited for Southeastern-ness.

Check out Leaf and Ale in Knoxville, Cedar Bluff Area (just like 3 min from I75/I40 Cedar Bluff exit). They have a great Tatuaje selection. And Knoxville Cigar Co in the Old Town is always great too.
 
Darren... this is a fantastic topic. I don't have a regular B&M. And I really envy the guys that have a place to go (even if it's to Outlaw :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ). One of my favorite visits was to the LCDH store up in Vancouver, B.C. What a great place to enjoy a cigar. And I've been to the shop Tommy's talking about in NYC... great place. I guess I don't have a shop here in town, because they're all sooooo expensive. Virtually all of them charge more than double MSRP on the sticks I like best, never a deal. I simply don't support businesses like that.

I like to smoke with friends. And I've managed to get together with a couple of the BOTLs from CP as well. Trying to smoke outdoors in LA can be really tough, because lots of the parks are smoke-free. So often it's just me, a cup of coffee, the CA sunshine and a good stick on my back deck. :) good thing my next door neighbor doesn't mind second-hand smoke... geesssh.
 
Well even though I dont live in Kansas City anymore, when I visit I always hang at the Outlaw! The humidor is huge and well stocked. The guys that run the place have a genuine love for cigars. The scenery from the tanning salon doesn't hurt either (as long as you check some ID first)!
 
SMSUCigarguy said:
Well even though I dont live in Kansas City anymore, when I visit I always hang at the Outlaw! The humidor is huge and well stocked. The guys that run the place have a genuine love for cigars. The scenery from the tanning salon doesn't hurt either (as long as you check some ID first)!
Click to expand...


That is what I like about the place I do most of my smoking :D

Heres some pictures here


It's all about being comfortable, we love it when people sit and enjoy our lounge. We try to make it feel like home so you can come in pick your favorite cigar out of the humidor, grab your favorite drink and kick back and watch TV or the fine babes that just happen to be walking by :thumbs:
 
My dream shop is my local shop! The Outlaw is another home for me. I always know I can walk in a be welcome. Actually the shop is why I became involved in this site. One day Smokyballs, and OutlawD tell me "You need to get on this site, "Cigarpass". It is just like the community here, but online."

It is all about community and love of cigars, and that is all a good shop needs.
 
I usually do the majority of my smoking in the room that is in my sig line and on the back patio. However, I recently can across a cigar shop in Austin, TX that I love. I travel thru Austin for work a couple times a month when I ran across this place called the Habano House in the back corner of Ruta Maya coffee shop/hippie hang out and it is the best place to just hang out. I have been able to make it on Monday nights when they have a group of locals in to watch 24 and smoke cigars. I am hoping to get thru on Fridays when they have what I understand as a mini-herf that sounds like a lot of fun.
 
I don't have one yet. Can anyone recommend a good one in the Los Angeles area. I go to Vendome when I visit my dad and step mom in Studio City for now. I would love to have one closer.
 
There are two shops near me within 20 minutes worth visiting. Tinderbox in Hamilton Place mail is ok, and have a good selection of regular line fuente and also padrons (usually) and the average non cubans you'd expect, CAO, etc.

The other is Burns connected with the Chattanooga Billards Club. This is a very NICE shop. They carry a wide variety of cigars, BUT they never put out Opus. They sell it to there private members for a VERY HIGH price tag (This was told to me by former members and current members). They have a private members only room, which is an awesome place for sports or to kick back and relax.

In Knoxville I recommend Leaf and Ale, Awesome beer selection and AWESOME Cigar selection. And also in Knoxville is Knoxville Cigar Co. They have a great lounge/shop. Very wide spaces with a pretty nice selection. I've liked going there for events and still try to whenever I can, TAA, Zino events, etc.
 
My shop in Louisville is great, nothing fancy like some other pictures I have seen... The owner is one of the nicest guy's you could run into and his prices are spot on.. There seems to always be a lunch crowd to have a smoke with and the people always make you feel like they have known you forever. The owner has his stash of rums from all over the world, and he will let you keep your own bottle there. Super place called Triple Crown Tobacco. I am however looking for a more upscale place in Louisville, if anyone knows.

Shooter
 
The Master said:
For about 5 years I hung out 4-5 times a week at Regency Cigar Emporium in East Greenwich Rhode Island. They have a very nice lounge in the back with big screen tv, wifi and a bar where you can store your own booze. The owner is a great guy and we had a great crew that hung out, played cards and bull shitted the days away. It was one of the things I missed most by moving to Florida.

If anyone is ever in that area do not hesitate to check it out. They have an awesome walk in humidor with an excellent selection of all the good stuff. They do have an on line site and their prices are pretty good. If you ever want to order from them, call first and ask for Mike the owner. Tell him you are a friend of Harris and he will cut you some great deals.Make sure you only talk to Mike.
Click to expand...
this is my thursday evening hangout, and as harris stated, great people who work and own the place. they actually care, and are well versed in all things cigar. if anyone is ever in the area, please look me up, as this is a great place to hang and smoke.
also, in RI, The Humidor Smoke Shop is a great people place. the owner/family are great people. they have a large selection of smokes, and are very reasonable when it comes to pricing. They recently opened a location in East Greenwich, near Regency Cigar with a nice lounge.
 
I’m fortunate enough to have 4 very good shops within 30 minutes of me. Well unfortunate because it certainly hurts the pocket book. What I have to say is the #1 thing people care about is customer service and the atmosphere. The #2 thing people care about are the cigars. One could have milk crates for seats but if he had the 2 things listed he would still get customers. One of the shops actually threw me out, not because I was loud or causing problems, simply because I was under 21 and they had beer there. To me this was garbage and I will never go back there. One shop has a wonderfully large collection and a great group of guys which in my book makes it prime but alas it falls into second place. First place actually has the smallest cigar collection of the group but the customer service, atmosphere the people there make it #1 easily. On several accounts we have had small groups in there and the owner kept the shop open up to 2 hours late since everyone was having such a good time. I can go there and talk or I can go and read in peace, it makes my perfect haven.

Just my thoughts.
 
Angelina's Cigar's in Plymouth Indiana. Opened this winter and has a nice lounge and selection.
A lounge is a must. With LCD screen, beverages, lockers, leather seats, etc. A good selection is important but a knowledgable salesman is even more important.

The salesperson should be a cigar smoker...a must. Those who you find smoking cigerettes is a deal breaker for me. Just isn't right.
 
My locale place is only 10 minutes away call the Cigar Room. Friday night's is my night out there. Not much in looks. The couch and chairs are old and the TV is small. The humidor currently isn't stock well. He is suppose to be redoing his other store right next to this one to be the new Cigar Room. Bigger and newer all around. That's why he is keeping the humidor stocked low doesn't want to chance having a lot of stock and no where to put it. According to his lease he can only use certain workers and he is on the waiting list. Prices are good for a B&M. Only a dollar or two over MSRP.

I like the place because of the people. The locale guys are fun to talk too and Jack the owner is a great guy. I enjoy my Friday nights out.


DG
 
DarrenR said:
Marcsheldon got me thinking since he is opening a shop that this may be a good thread.
Click to expand...

i was going to start a new topic and ask this qeustion, but ill just do it here since this seems like a good thread.

since i am starting a cigar shop, and will be building it from the ground up, i was wondering if anyone on here would be intrested in seeing the progression via pics on a day by day or week by week basis. you would get to see a cigar shop being built and i would get the advantage of having everyone's input on what they like/dislike.

i was thinking about this last night, im basically going to build this shop how "i" would want it to be. but it would be invaluable to have 30 or 40 other opinions from other cigar smokers from around the country and giving me their input on a day by day basis. from start to finish, the whole project will take about 4-6 weeks so it wouldnt be that long of series.

i would love to post pics of the floor plans, wood floor colors, fireplace mantles, humidor lockers, plasma tv, and everything else i cram in the shop and get you guys feedback. maybe post the 2 paint colors im deciding between and get your vote....stuff like that. this may be a waste of mine and your time, so if its not a good idea just tell me. otherwise if a few people like it, i might start a new thread and get it rolling.
 
marcsheldon said:
DarrenR said:
Marcsheldon got me thinking since he is opening a shop that this may be a good thread.
Click to expand...

i was going to start a new topic and ask this qeustion, but ill just do it here since this seems like a good thread.

since i am starting a cigar shop, and will be building it from the ground up, i was wondering if anyone on here would be intrested in seeing the progression via pics on a day by day or week by week basis. you would get to see a cigar shop being built and i would get the advantage of having everyone's input on what they like/dislike.

i was thinking about this last night, im basically going to build this shop how "i" would want it to be. but it would be invaluable to have 30 or 40 other opinions from other cigar smokers from around the country and giving me their input on a day by day basis. from start to finish, the whole project will take about 4-6 weeks so it wouldnt be that long of series.

i would love to post pics of the floor plans, wood floor colors, fireplace mantles, humidor lockers, plasma tv, and everything else i cram in the shop and get you guys feedback. maybe post the 2 paint colors im deciding between and get your vote....stuff like that. this may be a waste of mine and your time, so if its not a good idea just tell me. otherwise if a few people like it, i might start a new thread and get it rolling.
Click to expand...

I think that’d be a great idea. :thumbs: I always wanted to know how they did some of the stuff with the walkins.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top