Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Very subjective question. One of the nicest B&M's I've seen is Tampa Sweethearts and try do NOT have a walk in humidor. They probably only have 200-300 boxes. Their forte is customer service and great selection of the brands they carry. Service and good cigars will trump a huge number of mediocre boxes. My :2
RR

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

:np

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Dunhill use to have a store in Boston with a small walk-in. They had about 200 boxes of cigars. It was the experience that made the trip worth it rather than any particular box they had on hand. Actually, they kept the walk-in a little too humid for my taste.

If you are not going to be the cigar shop that has everything as the experience, you have to think of what the experience is going to be like so a customer will be happy with the limited selection. I would have few brands, but good ones that are well represented.

Make the presentation, selection, interaction, sale, and post sale experience a real event so the consumer looks forward to whole thing. Have you been to been to www.hajenius.com in Amsterdam? Buy a cigar from them and you'll understand what I mean. I am sure there are other shops that make buying one cigar or a box a special event and that is what you need to achieve.

Volume is not where you'll business will excel at least initially.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Things are progressing nicely on the lease. Build out should start soon. My walk in will hold about 135 boxes of cigars which about 80 more than anyone else in town.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Great to hear, John! Keep the updates coming and pics when available. :tu

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

To expand upon the above: I smoke cigarettes too, and if I'm smoking a cigarette while walking into a B&M/Lounge and someone tells me to put it out, I will and then I'll walk out, never to return. I can accept an anti-cigarette stance from non-smokers, but I will not accept elitist hypocrisy from other tobacco users. It enrages me! The B&M/Lounge in my neighborhood sells cigarettes, head shop things and hookah supplies, too. He won't turn away paying customers. Business is business and hobbies don't pay the bills. :2

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

I don't smoke cigarettes, but agree totally with your sentiment.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

While I agree with the sentiment, it depends upon the state or local laws. Here in Oregon, it is not legal to smoke cigarettes in a cigar lounge (or any establishment licensed for cigar smoking). Cigarettes and pipes are considered by the state to be "chemically treated tobaccos"...

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

I've only seen someone smoking a cigarette in a cigar shop on one occasion. IMHO, it ruins the atmosphere.
As for not selling alcohol, a favorite B & M here has free water & beers in the frige. It's customary to hit the tip jar when you take one and most customers are very good and generous!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

This would be a problem, cigarette drinkers will crowd out your intentions, I assume. I have never seen anyone smoke a cigarette at a cigar B&M before, maybe I just never noticed

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

I'd only worry or address it when it comes to that point. How many cigar lounges suffer from having too many customers?

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Should have said, Congrats to you, rather than chiming in with hogwash first, sorry!
Wish you the best!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

I know a few that could use less- ha! Good looking Sable in your avatar, I had a tri-color Corgi, little guy blew out both acl's, expensive dogs! Carried him for weeks up and down stairs while recovering, one acl at a time. Must be why the Queen owns them.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

As some of you may know the lease negotiations fell apart a few months ago. I have since found another location.

Lease is signed.

HVAC/ventilation system is being installed next week.

The walk-in humidor has been ordered and should be ready in about five weeks.

So all this is finally feeling real. Thanks for all the advice and opinion.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Congratulations!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

A consideration to think about, and a good problem to have would be having too many customers. I'm talking about more bodies than available seats.
One great local Orlando shop is Ol Times. On the weekends, you need to get there before 2 in the afternoon to get a seat. They are very popular and are seriously short on seating. Great, large cigar selection with killer prices, just not enough seating. I've seen customers come in, look at no available seats and leave. Lost sales. Most people who go in and nest, end up having two or three cigars and buy some to take home. That's $30 to $100 sales per chair for most regulars.
Another issue is younger cigar or pipe enthusiasts who nest and play chess or cards and only have one stick, but take up a coveted leather chair for hours. Again, lost sales.
Here's an idea for you... Have a domino table in your shop. At Ol Times, dominos age very popular and keep customers there for a long while and buying more cigars!
BTW Cigarettes are highly discouraged by the regulars. Ruins a good cigar aroma.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Congratulations!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Badbriar hit it on the head. Lack of available seating does cause some to leave. Our new local B&M just opened in October and already has growing pains. It was a full house last night and fortunately we have an outdoor covered patio that the owner is preparing to install roll up garage doors all around along with gas fire pits. We have a domino table and it gets used often. You can visit their website for their 2 locations: cigarroom.net and our local's facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/CigarRoomShoals?ref=ts&fref=ts

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Funny that we haven’t even opened yet and yes we are concerned about needing more space. Our first purposed location was almost too big. Our current location is almost too small. The upside is starting off less expensive, training my self to give excellent customer service with a number I can handle. Of course we are concerned with the notion of a reputation for not having available seating.

Fortunately I’m already talking about expanding into the space currently occupied by a business that doesn’t really fit in with the “boutique” hotel and has no lease.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

You could charge hourly for the gaming.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

:banger

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Congratulations! I just opened a shop myself and couldn't be happier. Build the bigger humidor, they are difficult to expand later.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

I used to feel similarly. I was a pack-a-day cigarette smoker for fifteen years. My wife smokes cigarettes to this day. So I can sort of see why you'd be upset. But it's not necessarily elitist hypocrisy at work. The truth is, cigarette smoke does wreck the aroma of a cigar. You don't see it that way because you can't tell. I know. I'm speaking from experience here. It's evident to me now. It wasn't back when I smoked cigarettes. Looking back, I wish I'd left my cigarettes out of the B&Ms just out of consideration.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

How about a more cigarette focused section of the lounge?

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Good luck Patrick, I look forward to seeing more pictures!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Moses, I just don't have the space. I also won't be carrying any cigarettes, just cigars and a small selection of pipe tobacco.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

That's fine, not selling cigarettes.

Charge a lighting fee for cigars or cigarettes brought into lounge that were not purchased there. Charge per cigarette the same fee as per cigar. This will deter cigarette smoking some or put more money into your pocket.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

I don't suppose they can ruin the aroma of Acids or Backwoods Grape. :D

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

The exhaust fan is quieter than the HVAC system. I'm pleased with the pace of progress at the lounge.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Progress on the space is going well. About 5 days behind schedule. Here are some pics of the humidor nearly complete at the factory.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

:tu

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Wow!!! That looks amazing; good for you!!! :dr

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Humidor looks beautiful.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

When you get open Ill swing by one afternoon. Check it out in all its glory. Humidor looks amazing as well!!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Beta tested the cigar lounge, ventilation system seems to be working well.

Our very own BluGill assisting with the humidor assembly, I couldn't have done it without him. Mr. Grimes was assisting as well.
https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...6c&oe=56733D94

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

That is very cool! It's all looking good, congrats and again the best of luck to you!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Thanks, wow the drama since I posted last. My contractor was supposed to be done July 10th...he might be done tomorrow.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Looking good.

Do you have a liquor license? What other service or offerings do you have beyond cigar sales and sitting area?

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Phase One: a traditional cigar retailer. We'll sell you a cigar. Enjoy it sitting in a comfortable club chair or take it home. Our goal is Friday the 21st.

Phase Two: the Low Point Beer bar. More bar equipment arrives next week. After the plumber and city inspectors are done we'll sell you a 3.2 beverage or if you prefer a French press coffee. Time frame about 3 weeks max.

Phase Three: the full liquor bar. That is still a few months away. Let's not focus negative energy on a slow state bureaucracy. ;0)

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

So you are building out with phase three in mind? Sounds like you are going about it the right way. How far are you from OKC?

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Yes sir. 90 minutes north of OKC by car.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Enid though is not a tiny town by any means.

I will be making the trip up sometime soon. Assuming that you are open, maybe the Thursday before labor day. I am taking some time off.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

It would be great to see you. I'll keep you posted here on progress.

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Been open three days now, tired but excited! I'm operating as a cigar retailer for now. The 3.2 beer bar opens soon, less than 3 weeks. Full liquor in a few months.

I couldn't have done it without fellow inmate BluGill

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Very cool, John! Congratulations!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

I may be new to the forum and the cigar world but I know awesome when I see it

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Great looking shop brother. Now I just need to find an excuse to get out there to see it!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

:cl

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

Sweet!

Re: Opening a Cigar Lounge
 

:banger