Tell me about Cigars International Superstores..

[Brian D.]

Apparently we're getting one in northern Kentucky a few months from now. Supposedly with a lounge, and full bar.

For those of you that have visited them, what are they like? Prices? Selection? Knowledgeable staff? Overall impressions?

[Porch Dweller]

I've been to the one in Tampa a couple of times. Huge selection, staff was for the most part pretty knowledgeable, and the prices were comparable to online, with some deals here and there. I didn't have time to check out the bar and lounge, though, but it was a very large and nicely furnished area.

It's worth checking out, IMNSHO.

[Lockspur]

I visited the location in Katy, TX and was a tad underwhelmed. The staff seemed nice, but I would definitely not call it a 'superstore.'




The selection met my expectations, and the lounge area was acceptable. Keep in mind I had high expectations.

They had a buy 5 and get the 6th free...they had a couple of brands exempt...but none that I cared about.

I would go back if I had money burning a hole in my pocket and wanted to buy a handful of expensive sticks not found at my B&M.

[Brian D.]

Porch Dweller, Lockspur, thanks for the responses. Six hundred and thirty some views, with just two responses tho? Don't y'all like me anymore?

Oh wait, maybe ya didn't like me in the first place.

So, this new CI is going in to a retail/restaurant/movie complex where there's no close, free parking. (It's Newport on the Levee, if you're interested.) I've been on the Cincytucky cigar scene for thirty plus years, and I can say for sure, a lot of the local crowd doesn't favor paying for several hours of parking, to hang out and herf. I guess the place will draw out of town visitors too, but not year round.

And the rents in this place are high. The big spaces stay vacant more than they get leased out. Got to "put a$$es in the seats"** most every day, whether July or January, to pay those bills.


**A quote about baseball, from Pete Rose. It seems to apply to lots of things, I steal it frequently.

[icehog3]

I like ya just fine, Brian. Just never been.

[RevSmoke]

I didn't respond, although I read it. I've never been to one and have no experience to relate.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[elderboy02]

I wonder if they will have an indoor lounge

[Brian D.]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

I wonder if they will have an indoor lounge

Indoor lounge and a patio outside, according to online articles from City Beat and LINK NKy websites. Not as big as their superstores, about 5800 square feet total. Use your Elder math to find the square root.

But like I said, the pay-to-park thing will be a downside.

[shark]

Nothing like that here except a JR Cigars outlet, minus the lounge

[BigDawg]

Like others, I have never been. They just opened one in JAX that is about about hour drive for me. I looked at their website and they say it's 6,200 sqft and includes a lounge with a full bar, TVs, yada, yada, yada.

An hour going through JAX after have a drink or five is not the best idea in my head. So, I doubt I'll be stopping by anytime soon.

[Brian D.]

Originally Posted by shark

Nothing like that here except a JR Cigars outlet, minus the lounge

I've been told that at one time, CI had plans to have a total of 25 brick and mortar locations, by 2025. But I think that COVID, followed by a down economy, slowed the mission down considerably.

[Brian D.]

Originally Posted by BigDawg

Like others, I have never been. They just opened one in JAX that is about about hour drive for me. I looked at their website and they say it's 6,200 sqft and includes a lounge with a full bar, TVs, yada, yada, yada.

An hour going through JAX after have a drink or five is not the best idea in my head. So, I doubt I'll be stopping by anytime soon.

St. Louis and Orlando are slated to get one each this year too, if my Internet snooping and cigar rep street snitch pals can be trusted.

Orlando would be ambitious wouldn't it? Quite a cigar scene there already.