YOUR SHOP

[the mayor]

I've been wondering what everyone thinks of their local shop. I've seen some love and I've seen some hate, but it's still your source for 'the passion'. So here I lay upon you two shops of mine if you're ever in the area:

Holt's (Philadelphia, PA)
The selection is unlimited. Unless you want a Greycliff or a Gurkha, you will walk out with a cigar. Always have Opus and Padron Anni's (26 and 64) in stock, and when in season Anejo's, Hemmi Mad's, Opus A's, etc. An awesome back room to smoke. Next door (literally three feet away) is the greatest place to smoke a stoge, Mahogany cigar bar. If you're in Philly and wanna smoke, go there, 16th and Walnut. The best part is MSRP. I hear of people paying $20+ for a xXx and i cringe. Downers, the customer service isn't the best at times. It's almost understandable since its downtown and they probably see a hundred plus a day, but I've gotten an icey feel a few times.

Lightin Up (Trappe, PA)
The man here sold me my first humi. And I hate him for it, it was way too small. It's a chain across south east PA and they have good prices and a usual good selection. DC Maximus and VSG to name a few, but the personal attention is whats great. Selection and varying prices hold it back, kind of small.

SO, when travelin' to the Keystone State look these two up. If not for me, then do it for Ben Franklin. The man made electricity for christ sakes. :0

Lookin forward to hearing where you live, and hopefully stoppin by someday.

 

[AVB]

My "local" store is 25 miles away, really small and not that easy to get to. Hain's Pipe shop, the 8th oldest continiously operating tobacco shop in the country.

225 South George St
York, PA. 17403
717.843.2237

Nice people but it looks like more of a hobby business now then a place to earn a living at. Great bar next door that allows cigar smoking is the best part of going there.

 

[golfgar]

Lightin Up (Trappe, PA)
The man here sold me my first humi. And I hate him for it, it was way too small.

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Woa hey, hate is a pretty strong word, but I understand.

Of the three most popluar shops in my area 1 is good, one is ok and one is less than adequate. (The Good, The Bad and the Ugly)

St. Louis Cigars - Nice bar decent selection. Always has Padron Anniversario's and the price by the box is really good. Also, had Anjeo's and saved me 1/2 of a box to buy all at once. The beer is cold but there is a marginal selection of Whiskey. But then we are in St. Louis and beer is a bigger issue. The humidor is a bit sloppy and he markets his own golf bags with built-in humidors, plus some other stuff like solution and tubes with the gel in them. In general there are a number of regulars who are friendly and generally pretty good guys.

Briars and Blends - Very nice selection and lots of Opux and Anjeo. Strict limits on purchases for these. No bar, small lounge area for smoking with no TV or anything. Neat humidor, knowledgeable owners and employees but it's a little bit like a grade school in the approach and the discipline. Owned by a former teacher BTW.

Town and Country Tobacco - The owner is nice but is a pipe smoker. The humidor is cramped but the selection is good. Generally higher prices than the other two. He had a couple of Tinder Boxes before going into business here. The smoking lounge has a TV but no drinks and the crowd is probably what kicks this into the last place. They are not friendly. When you say hi to them there is no response save for the occasional grunt. They mostly don't even attempt to make any effort communicate even if only by body language. That uncomfortable feeling makes you want to get in and get out...quickly.

Anyway that's my $.02.

 

[rknicker]

We have two shops. Both are overpriced. One is overpriced on everything, with a minimal selection, and even the Avo's are $10. The other is overpriced on everything, but just a little bit. The high end stuff is almost unbuyable though. And they have no idea what they're doing. I saw a box of anejo's covered in mold, they run dehumidifiers all the time, and you still see burst cigars throughout the place. Total disaster. I buy 99% of my stuff from the internet.

 

[cigardawg]

Actually have three shops in Charlottesville now.

Tobacconist and Gifts
This place is owned and run by my friend Jack Martinez. He has been in the cigar business for over 30 years. This is a great store. Very clean with a great selection of cigars. AF, Annis, 1926, VSGs, Gurkhas, LGC just to name a few (Opus, Anejo, and Hemi maddies when in season). He has a private smoking lounge in the back. Jack is what I describe as a "gentleman's tobacconist"...fantastic customer service. He takes care of his customers and is very knowledgalbe of his product.

Cavalier Tobacco
Opposite from the above. This guy has more cigars that I have seen in any one place other than JRs. They are stacked everywhere in his two humidors. The problems...1) you can't find anything. Nothing is laid out in any rhyme or reason. 2) he constantly has humidification problems...I just don't want mold on my cigars. The store is not clean and just plain has a funny smell to it. However, I do frequent it on occasion just to see if I can find something special (and have on occasion). The proprietor is not at all knowledgable of his product and is generally full of crap. :0

Aficionado's Smoke Shop
New shop on the downtown mall. Nice, but with a limited selection (growing everyday though). Nice place to walk to at lunch for a cigar (I work downtown). Have not been in there enough times to have a true feel for the place. The proprietor seems to be somewhere between the two mentioned above.

However, I have been known to go to Richmond for cigars. I absolutely love Havana Connections. Very dynamic business, great selection, great prices (MSRP), and very good staff. Shorty (the owner) does it right.

 

[Matt R]

I don't frequent any local shops, so hold no love or hate for any of them. I do however like a couple of shop in PA. One being Holt's, never a let down there. And, John David Ltd. in Langhorne, PA, has always been able to help me out if I needed something.

 

[stewa070]

If ever in Alabama:

Tuscaloosa:

Enjoy the Tide's latest victory at Downtown Trading Co. The selection is pretty good but the price is a little steep. Ok real steep. Nice atmosphere and a lot of chess games going on.

Homewood:

There are more shops in Birmingham, AL, but I've only been to Briary Cigars in Homewood. My favorite place to go. Skip, the owner knows his customers and they have a plush cigar smoking room. He also makes and sells his own Meerchaum pipes, and they are beautiful. Shop run out of an 1800s farmhouse. Prices are great, and the folks actually know how to suggest something a newbie might like, not what they're itchin' to sell. Great selection. and lots of antiques and artwork to look at too. Love this place

http://www.thebriary.com

 

[the gurkha]

In KC there are a few I frequent. There is a shop called "Outlaw cigar company" that has ok prices on some stuff but for the most part it is a pricey place to buy cigars. It does however have a great smoking lounge with a huge t.v. that I enjoy sitting down in when I have time. Then there is Diebel's down on the plaza which has a slightly less stellar selection than outlaw but still is pretty darn good. Their Prices are great except for a few things they gouge on i.e. Avo's. But they lack a smoking lounge. Then there is the shop called "Fidel's" which has a great name, an awesome lounge, a great location and the absolute worst prices in town. Everything is gouged like hell and they have a very sh#tty selection, they rip off all of the people that are just out for a stroll in historic westport and opt for a cigar.

 

[gatorsmg]

I LOVE my shop :love:

I should say the shop that Ricmac and I go to and cigah_smoka works at.

Sabor Havana Cigars (in Doral)
2600 N.W. 87th Ave.
Suite 3
Miami, FL 33172

This is definitely the best shop I've been to. Huge selection and almost always the best prices around. They have big leather chairs and a couple of leather couches in the back with a plasma TV. They've got a dart board and put in a pool table a little while back. There's also a great group of "regulars" there to shoot the $hit with. The owners and employees are awsome and usually enjoying a smoke with the fellas.

In fact if I end up leaving Miami in a few months, this shop will be one of the places I'll miss the most

 

[Beefcube]

Westminster Cigar Co.
Two locations, Main St in Westminster ,MD. The other in Owings Mills, MD on Reisterstown rd.
GREAT PEOPLE, SUPER FRIENDLY. Kinda small but worth the atmosphere. Msrp on premiums and Opus stuff, just got a huge Padron display. Good selection. Enough room to sit and watch tv with a smoke in both shops.

Faders
Garrison/ Pikesville MD.
Actually good selection and alot of premiums, ALOT. About a buck cheaper than other stores, so I can live with the attitude. They must hold Opus cause I've only ever noticed the CF charity humi box.
Took my wife there one time and she got a better welcome than me when she started representin' and throwin' down the yiddish with the old Zaydes that sit there all day.

EDIT EDIT
Went to Faders today and got a total warm welcome, maybe they remember me now. Bought three sticks and they gave me an empty box I asked about at no charge, maybe I caught them on bad days before. I'm corrected.

 

[mrjinglesusa]

Actually have three shops in Charlottesville now.

Tobacconist and Gifts
This place is owned and run by my friend Jack Martinez. He has been in the cigar business for over 30 years. This is a great store. Very clean with a great selection of cigars. AF, Annis, 1926, VSGs, Gurkhas, LGC just to name a few (Opus, Anejo, and Hemi maddies when in season). He has a private smoking lounge in the back. Jack is what I describe as a "gentleman's tobacconist"...fantastic customer service. He takes care of his customers and is very knowledgalbe of his product.

Cavalier Tobacco
Opposite from the above. This guy has more cigars that I have seen in any one place other than JRs. They are stacked everywhere in his two humidors. The problems...1) you can't find anything. Nothing is laid out in any rhyme or reason. 2) he constantly has humidification problems...I just don't want mold on my cigars. The store is not clean and just plain has a funny smell to it. However, I do frequent it on occasion just to see if I can find something special (and have on occasion). The proprietor is not at all knowledgable of his product and is generally full of crap. :0

Aficionado's Smoke Shop
New shop on the downtown mall. Nice, but with a limited selection (growing everyday though). Nice place to walk to at lunch for a cigar (I work downtown). Have not been in there enough times to have a true feel for the place. The proprietor seems to be somewhere between the two mentioned above.

However, I have been known to go to Richmond for cigars. I absolutely love Havana Connections. Very dynamic business, great selection, great prices (MSRP), and very good staff. Shorty (the owner) does it right.

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Good rundown of our shops here Scot. I will add that Cavalier Pipe and Tobacco, although everything Scot said, does have pretty good prices and generally no limits on premium smokes. He had Anejos in at just slightly above MSRP and also got the BTLs I offered for trade a couple weeks ago (these were about $3-4 above MSRP). He doesn't carry Padron Anniversarios and when he gets Opus in he keeps them behind the counter and only sells to his "regulars."

Like Scot said, Jack is a great guy at the other store. His store is very well maintained and he has a great selection. The only thing I don't like are his prices and limits on some of the premiums. Other than that - a great store and fantastic guy to buy from. :thumbs:

Only went to Aficionados once and bought a PAM Torpedo. I think he charged ~$9.50.

 

[Fast4Dr]

In fact if I end up leaving Miami in a few months, this shop will be one of the places I'll miss the most

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I miss it and I was only there once

 

[gatorsmg]

In fact if I end up leaving Miami in a few months, this shop will be one of the places I'll miss the most

[snapback]166492[/snapback]​

I miss it and I was only there once

[snapback]166498[/snapback]​

Come on back

Unfortunately, I was out of town when you came to Miami last time and I missed the little get together

 

[Eshaw99]

Well, I'm a pretty big fan of my local shop (Tinderbox in Chattanooga), but then again, I work there.

 

[Fast4Dr]

In fact if I end up leaving Miami in a few months, this shop will be one of the places I'll miss the most

[snapback]166492[/snapback]​

I miss it and I was only there once

[snapback]166498[/snapback]​

Come on back

Unfortunately, I was out of town when you came to Miami last time and I missed the little get together

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Probably won't be until the Jets/Dolphins game

 

[Horse]

I love my shops! They're in:

Switzerland
Germany
England
Hong Kong
Canaires
Gibralter
Netherlands
Spain
and an occasional trip to Australia and then hop over to NZ
:laugh:

 

[stevehawk]

There are a couple of shops in Boise, but I and my friends only visit one:

Sturman's

The owner's a great guy, always willing to help a newbie out. Prices are alittle high, but that's to be expected I suppose.

 

[cigarsarge]

I love my local shop. It's called Ye Old Pipe Shop. Large walk in humidor and a wide selection. Everyone there knows each other by first name. It's a great place to kill a few hours. :thumbs:

 

[Mephiston]

The closest shop is called Midtown and its liquer and cigars. Its very clean and nice with a good selection to choose from.The only bad thing and its not the shop its the state. prices are crazy.

The Tinder box I go to is in Indiana so I save some money going there and it also very good on selection always have opus and 64's and good stick price. The down side is box prices are not so good.

 

[ggiese]

I'm somewhat spoiled when it comes to cigar shops near me. Because I live in the Chicago area, there are plenty around. Some are fantastic, some are very small. The shop that was right down the street from me (Cuban Experience) just closed down last year . This has taught me a valuable lesson - support your local shop by spending time and MONEY $$$ in there. That's the only way they can stay in business.

My next nearest local shop (Cigars and More in Libertyville, IL ) is a great place to go to "Herf". There's usually a great bunch of guys around to chat with - enjoy a fotball game - play some poker. From young (18 or so) to older (70+), there isn't one in that group that isn't worth spending some time with. Kind of a small town atmosphere - large leather chairs, a nice game table, even barber chairs...

The shop itself is really set up as the ultimate cigar shop. Nice walk-in humidor with a great selection of cigars. I'd like to see more, but what is in there is plenty - all the great brands are represented (Ashton, Gurkeha, Patel, CAO, Fuente, Davidoff, Montecristo, Trinidad, Punch, Hoyo, Dunhill, etc.). Even some great deals on bundles and lower priced cigars. The cigars are reasonably priced in comparison to other places I've been.

Our shop has regular "events" which are always a pleasure to attend. Usually it involves some food/drinks, cigar giveaways or specials and raffles/door prizes. We've even had visits from some of the great names - Avo Uvezian, Rocky Patel, Benji Mendez, etc. My only complaint is he closes a bit too early (8 pm during the week, 6 on Sats., 4 on Sun). I wish they would stay open until about 10 M-Sat and until 6 or so on Sun.

I've been in the Cigar King in Skokie - quite an impressive place with one of the largest walk-in humidors I've ever been in!!! (outside of the Corona Cigar Company in Orlando). The owner personally introduced himself to me and gave me a tour of the shop - a very nice touch - made it seem it was a small shop, instead of the mega-store I saw when I walked in.

I think there is by far a greater premium selection than at Corona - and at my local shop. There is very little out there that isn't at Cigar King. They say they have events on a regular basis, but they are just a bit far away for me to attend regularly (about 20 or so miles).

There is a Tinder Box near me - sorry Eshaw - the owner is not very friendly. Definitely one of those shops you go in and get your cigars and leave. The prices are mall prices - on the steep side.

There is also a shop called "Aroma's" inside Gurnee Mills Mall. There is no smoking in the store - they have a decent selection / nice walk in humidor. The owner is nce, but the place is a bit overpriced (unless the owner know you).

The other store near me is called "Hemingway's" in Highwood, IL. They have just recently opened up. The store is very cigar friendly - nice seating/smoking areas, big screen TV's, pleasant surroundings. The selection of cigars is nice - and seem pretty reasonable. He has a large selection of Pinar cigars - which aren't bad, but seem to me to be a bit overpriced. The owner was nice when I was in there - someplace I'd go back to visit. He does have light night hours, which is nice (I think he's open until 11 each night)