new shop ideas - Page 2

neoflex · 12-04-2008, 09:28 PM

Must have a decent selection of smokes and the staff must be friendly and accommodating. For example, there is a B&M close to work that has a fantastic selection, but the guy who runs the store is a real douche and has the personality of a wet towel. I hate to buy anything from them but they tend to get in some not so common things from time to time so I do pop in every once in awhile as much as it pains me. A perfect example of how much of a A-Hole this guy is the other day I popped in to see if they had Anejos. Sure enough they did but were sold out of Sharks. So when I asked if he knew if their other store had them in stock his answer was, " I dunno, why don't you call and ask?" Hmmm, would have been nice if he called for me but why would a douche of his caliber do such a thing?

Anyway I grabbed a few sticks since they had no limits and went on my way thinking the same thing I always do when I walk out, "Why do I keep coming back?" I loved my old local back on Long Island. They had an awesome selection, a great lounge and the owner and other regulars could not be any friendlier.

md4958 · 12-04-2008, 02:53 PM

a great selection
decent prices
hot and friendly waitstaff
relaxed attitude
comfy lounge
proximity to my home

DrDubzz · 12-04-2008, 02:56 PM

what goatlocker said.

wifi and a good area to sit. I would love to take my laptop, be able to watch lectures and smoke my pipe or a larger cigar. it would definitely increase the frequency with which I do both

dunng · 12-04-2008, 02:55 PM

Looks is not #1, functionality is for me but it must be laid back.

Location helps especially if I sneak out during work... Otherwise I would not mind driving a little after work hours.

DrDubzz · 12-04-2008, 03:42 PM

lockers aren't a terrible idea either, but not a necessity

12-04-2008, 04:04 PM

leather recliners and firm feeling women that would actually date me.

Bubba - NJ · 12-04-2008, 04:08 PM

The only thing I would add to the B & M I frequent would be a TV . They have comfy seating and a friendly staff . They also hold events regularly , don't mind if you smoke your own and usually every friday night it's kind of like a party there . Good friendly place to smoke .

Bubba - NJ · 12-04-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba - NJ

The only thing I would add to the B & M I frequent would be a TV . They have comfy seating and a friendly staff . They also hold events regularly , don't mind if you smoke your own and usually every friday night it's kind of like a party there . Good friendly place to smoke .

I forgot to add that I never got yelled at for moving any of the chairs around there either !

MTB996 · 12-04-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonsofClubDeck

leather recliners and firm feeling women that would actually date me.

Heck, if they could date you, what's the point. I want crazy hot chicks that are way out of my league, but "friendly" for the tip.

Seriously, the biggest draws to a cigar shop for me are:
1. proximity to home or work - gotta be convenient to go there.
2. staff shouldn't be a-holes.
3. comfy place with decent ventilation to relax and actually enjoy a cigar - that's the whole point.
4. staff shouldn't be a-holes
5. something to drink or eat either available in the store or next door (nothing wrong with grabbing a happy meal and heading into the smoke shop)
6. decent selection of smokes, but not that important if I can bring my own
7. did I mention the staff shouldn't be a-holes.

DrDubzz · 12-04-2008, 05:24 PM

oooh you could give out minutos as the "toy" for the happy meal!

md4958 · 12-04-2008, 07:21 PM

in addition to MTB's sugggestion about the staff not being a-holes

how about the staff actually knows something about cigars??? Its pretty sad when a noob like me is educating the guy behind the counter

DrDubzz · 12-04-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by md4958

in addition to MTB's sugggestion about the staff not being a-holes

how about the staff actually knows something about cigars??? Its pretty sad when a noob like me is educating the guy behind the counter

make them all pass a test on the difference between MOLD and plume

dunng · 12-04-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX2010

make them all pass a test on the difference between MOLD and plume

Show them the pictures at vitolas.net ... As well as the beetle pics!

mikeandshellie2 · 12-04-2008, 07:33 PM

Cleaniness is my big thing, selection,as others have said place to sit and enjoy my cigar,alcohol is a plus. Internet service is a nice add-on. Great people and knowledge is most definately a key. Making sure the humidor is properly maintaining the cigars(but I think thats a given). Some of the guys have said they can order food from a place close, so location .. Hope this helps.
Shellie

brigey57 · 12-04-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbourjay

how important are looks? classier or more laid back?

the reason i ask is to get ideas of course. a self owned shop idea has been approved by my better half.

how important is location?

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbourjay

if you were looking at becoming a member at a cigar shop or just someone who frequents one locally, what is the most important factor to you? or what do you look for in a shop?

The most important thing to me is a knowledgeable staff that is willing to take the time to help you when you are looking for something special. I want the sales person yo be able to help me with a with a good answer not just shoot from their hip and not know what they are talking about.

I do look to make sure they know what to do to keep the cigars well preserved. I hate it when I walk into a humidor and the cigars look dried out or wet. That's nuts.

Sorry if I was rnting but I hate it when the hired help don't even have a clue.

12-05-2008, 09:56 PM

I have to agree with many of you so far.
For me:
1. Selection (a wide variety and able to get those "hard to get" stogies) I can look over a lot issues with a shop but without selection, what's the point.

2. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that listen's to what your saying and tries to steer you in the right direction (towards your taste's not towards what cigar is the most expensive, to make a high $ sale).

3. A lounge or smoking area of some kind that makes you feel comfortable and not cramped or in the way. (a tv as someone mentioned is a big plus). My B&M always has coffee and soft drinks. The "regulars" take turns bringing in pastries, coffee cake etc.

4. A decent selection of accessories (e.g. butane, lighters, cutters/punches, humidors, travel cases etc.)

5. Hygrometers that are displayed in some manner throughout the humidor. I like to know what temp/R.H. they store their sticks.

6. Stogies prices somewhere around MSRP. I will walk out of a B&M as soon as I get the feeling that I'm being gouged. This is one of my pet peeves. If a company doesn't have a problem charging me $15+ over MSRP, what else don't they have a problem with?

That's about all I can think of. Great topic!!

12-04-2008, 02:53 PM	#2
md4958 Captain Cannoli Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moe Location: Suffield, CT Posts: 5,712 Trading: (62)	Re: new shop ideas a great selection decent prices hot and friendly waitstaff relaxed attitude comfy lounge proximity to my home __________________ "One fart can foul the air for everyone" - Esteemed philosopher "If avoiding the nasty $hit is being a snob, them I am guilty as charged."- Same esteemed philosopher.

12-04-2008, 02:56 PM	#3
DrDubzz Formerly RX2010 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Virginia Posts: 2,201 Trading: (34)	Re: new shop ideas what goatlocker said. wifi and a good area to sit. I would love to take my laptop, be able to watch lectures and smoke my pipe or a larger cigar. it would definitely increase the frequency with which I do both

12-04-2008, 02:55 PM	#4
dunng MassHole Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: MassHole Posts: 4,719 Trading: (59)	Re: new shop ideas Looks is not #1, functionality is for me but it must be laid back. Location helps especially if I sneak out during work... Otherwise I would not mind driving a little after work hours. __________________ MassHole Banter

12-04-2008, 03:42 PM	#5
DrDubzz Formerly RX2010 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Virginia Posts: 2,201 Trading: (34)	Re: new shop ideas lockers aren't a terrible idea either, but not a necessity

12-04-2008, 04:04 PM	#6
SonsofClubDeck Guest Posts: n/a	Re: new shop ideas leather recliners and firm feeling women that would actually date me.

12-04-2008, 09:28 PM	#1
neoflex I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: John Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 2,765 Trading: (32)	Re: new shop ideas Must have a decent selection of smokes and the staff must be friendly and accommodating. For example, there is a B&M close to work that has a fantastic selection, but the guy who runs the store is a real douche and has the personality of a wet towel. I hate to buy anything from them but they tend to get in some not so common things from time to time so I do pop in every once in awhile as much as it pains me. A perfect example of how much of a A-Hole this guy is the other day I popped in to see if they had Anejos. Sure enough they did but were sold out of Sharks. So when I asked if he knew if their other store had them in stock his answer was, " I dunno, why don't you call and ask?" Hmmm, would have been nice if he called for me but why would a douche of his caliber do such a thing? Anyway I grabbed a few sticks since they had no limits and went on my way thinking the same thing I always do when I walk out, "Why do I keep coming back?" I loved my old local back on Long Island. They had an awesome selection, a great lounge and the owner and other regulars could not be any friendlier. __________________

12-04-2008, 04:08 PM	#7
Bubba - NJ Deep Cherry Finish Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Rolf Location: Tatooine Posts: 780 Trading: (4)	Re: new shop ideas The only thing I would add to the B & M I frequent would be a TV . They have comfy seating and a friendly staff . They also hold events regularly , don't mind if you smoke your own and usually every friday night it's kind of like a party there . Good friendly place to smoke .

12-04-2008, 05:24 PM	#10
DrDubzz Formerly RX2010 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Virginia Posts: 2,201 Trading: (34)	Re: new shop ideas oooh you could give out minutos as the "toy" for the happy meal!

12-04-2008, 07:21 PM	#11
md4958 Captain Cannoli Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moe Location: Suffield, CT Posts: 5,712 Trading: (62)	Re: new shop ideas in addition to MTB's sugggestion about the staff not being a-holes how about the staff actually knows something about cigars??? Its pretty sad when a noob like me is educating the guy behind the counter __________________ "One fart can foul the air for everyone" - Esteemed philosopher "If avoiding the nasty $hit is being a snob, them I am guilty as charged."- Same esteemed philosopher.

12-04-2008, 07:33 PM	#14
mikeandshellie2 Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Shellie Location: HUGE crater!! Posts: 735 Trading: (72)	Re: new shop ideas Cleaniness is my big thing, selection,as others have said place to sit and enjoy my cigar,alcohol is a plus. Internet service is a nice add-on. Great people and knowledge is most definately a key. Making sure the humidor is properly maintaining the cigars(but I think thats a given). Some of the guys have said they can order food from a place close, so location .. Hope this helps. Shellie

12-05-2008, 09:56 PM	#16
Waynegro1 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: new shop ideas I have to agree with many of you so far. For me: 1. Selection (a wide variety and able to get those "hard to get" stogies) I can look over a lot issues with a shop but without selection, what's the point. 2. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that listen's to what your saying and tries to steer you in the right direction (towards your taste's not towards what cigar is the most expensive, to make a high $ sale). 3. A lounge or smoking area of some kind that makes you feel comfortable and not cramped or in the way. (a tv as someone mentioned is a big plus). My B&M always has coffee and soft drinks. The "regulars" take turns bringing in pastries, coffee cake etc. 4. A decent selection of accessories (e.g. butane, lighters, cutters/punches, humidors, travel cases etc.) 5. Hygrometers that are displayed in some manner throughout the humidor. I like to know what temp/R.H. they store their sticks. 6. Stogies prices somewhere around MSRP. I will walk out of a B&M as soon as I get the feeling that I'm being gouged. This is one of my pet peeves. If a company doesn't have a problem charging me $15+ over MSRP, what else don't they have a problem with? That's about all I can think of. Great topic!!