Advice for B&M owners anyone?

Originally Posted by awsmith4

However, then you made this post.

Online guys do not provide a lounge, they don not clean the ashtrays, they do not give personal service. I too order a lot of cigars online but each the online and the local retailers play a certain role.

Neither do our shops. They don't allow smoking, except Pauls which has two chairs.


I go to the Mark. I don't buy my cigars there, but I do spend $20-40 each time I go on food, and drink. Seeing as they have around 30 humidors that are owned by patrons there, I don't see them as making their money on stogies either.

[markem]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

I go to the Mark. I don't buy my cigars there, but I do spend $20-40 each time I go on food, and drink. Seeing as they have around 30 humidors that are owned by patrons there, I don't see them as making their money on stogies either.

The cigars are from Broadway Cigars and you would have to ask Sam whether or not the Shilo/Mark makes any money off them. The Shilo/Mark owns the humidors and boxes, but I don't know what the rent might be. Some here on this board have private boxes there.,

Also, Dawn never owned Timber Valley, although she was looking for investors. The son of the late owner eventually sold it to two guys, who seem enthusiastic but are relatively new to cigars, or so I am led to believe.

Originally Posted by markem

The cigars are from Broadway Cigars and you would have to ask Sam whether or not the Shilo/Mark makes any money off them. The Shilo/Mark owns the humidors and boxes, but I don't know what the rent might be. Some here on this board have private boxes there.,

Also, Dawn never owned Timber Valley, although she was looking for investors. The son of the late owner eventually sold it to two guys, who seem enthusiastic but are relatively new to cigars, or so I am led to believe.

Gotcha. I was asking Ruth and the other 'tender about rentals, but they didn't know and thought they were privately owned.

I got a different story about Timber Valley, but I'm sure we can yap about it over a nice cold one sometime down at The Mark. My treat.

Whatever the case, they had a great selection two years ago, and lovely service (other than being preached to about Obama). Now you can't find a stick in there worth a crap it seems.

I have yet to go to Broadway, but am looking forward to the April 2nd Alec Bradley event. Maybe I'll see a few of you guys and gals there. I've been told its the best store in the valley, I just haven't been able to drive past The Mark without stopping in and getting stuck watching the game with really good people. How good is the service? They get 25-30% out of me on tips.

Going there tonight to play poker in fact. Been there every night this week since finding the place on Monday.

Spent $70 there so far, and taking another $80 for em tonight. I have no problems paying for a good place to smoke. Now, I need to give Nikki a $20 bill for her to order the Fox Soccer Channel so I can watch my games!

Bad Finger:

In PA, the legislators have passed laws that are popular with the masses, so smoking in businesses that can be accessed by the general public is out. Both existing businesses and new businesses that want the “privilege” of allowing smoking have to pay the state for that privilege. Local government wants in on the take too, so Cigar shop owners have to pay more. People that were already in business have no choice than to pay the license fees or close. When you have debt that can only be paid by staying in business, you have to pay the license fees and try to survive. The owner’s costs have gone up since the anti-smoking laws have passed, so they have to charge more.

Maybe Walmart can afford to sell loss leaders, but cigar stores have a limited number of products to sell and they all have to do with smoking.

Bar owners have been impacted the same way. When smoking was banned in restaurants and bars, many of their customers started going to private clubs which by law can allow smoking (because it’s a private club that charges for membership. It is not open to the general public). Its easy for you to say they should move, but these owners have a mortgage and a debt service they have to pay, they have children in the local school system, and maybe one spouse has a career/job at another local company. People that have worked for a number of years at a career and have built up a retirement account are not going to pick up and move because the smoking laws have changed, they can’t.

I think your attitude is a bit flippant.


Mike T.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

I love threads that ask you your opinion, then you get chided for giving it! lol

I know you are new here, Clancy, and you seem quite knowlegable. I will say here that usually any fallout is more due to the tone than to the content. Very tolerant bunch here in general, as long as the dialogue is civil.