I'm damned and determined...

[WhiteWolfIndulgence]

The smoke shop I've been going to on 14th and Franklin is more of a "head shop" with a decent humidor selection of General/Altadis brands and then there's the smoking room in the back.

Last night the owner asked me to select a dozen boxes he should carry from his HUGE distributor catalog so I picked out half a dozen or so different cigars he should carry for variety. Casa Magna was one I couldn't get through that catalog but I chose the following:

Fonseca
Carlos Torano 1959 Silver
Uppercut by Punch
Cuesta Rey, Centro Fino
Brick House and a few other larger brands including CAO Criollo. My question to you is:

What sizes if I"m trying to cultivate a real smoking group there. I don't care of the head shop shit is up front but we can shut the door and separate ourselves from all of that.

I also picked out some pipe tobaccos, a few virginas, burleys, some stuff I've had of Mac Baren, some aromatics, etc.

Aside from word of mouth, how else can I turn this end of his business into a profitable place for cigar smokers?

There's a post that shows the smoking room here

Sadly there is no large screen TV yet. But we can bring our own booze...

 

[Thegreekone]

Chairs look comfy!

Pretty cool they solicited your help and advice.

Illusione, Viaje, Padron, and Liga would be my suggestions. Too many selections can be overwhelming for some. Have quality smokes at every price point would be a priority and a knowledgeable staff to direct patrons.

TV and bringing booze and food is a plus.

Espresso machine? :yes:

 

[iCraig]

Fuente too... Hemingway is a great starter line for people to get into the premium cigars.

 

[WhiteWolfIndulgence]

I"m going to talk to him to talk to his other distributor (JMG) to get more of the Fuente line in there, as this one out of LA doesn't carry Fuente. He currently has a few singles of the Short Story, half a box of the Double Chateau, and the one that's robusto size in that line. And I have Padron and Tat/Illusione on my list too

He (like the previous owner) knows very little about cigars so I intend to make little cards (for the cost of a few sticks) to point people in the right direction and help him out when I'm at Grants instead or whatever.

I've already helped him with a few customers who ended up walking out spending close to $50 or more on purchases.

 

[GoingPostal]

well remembering how it was being a noob. say padron, fuente and oliva would be top three. all have good sticks at varying price points so be an easy transition from budget to premium. You also don't want to bring in too much varities, noobs like buying names they know or recognize. Well I just got me some A's tickets so maybe we can have a little pre/post game herf sometime.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

"What sizes if I"m trying to cultivate a real smoking group there."

Robusto, Churchill and Torpedo....and maybe a corona/lonsdale size would be my recommendations.

 

[WhiteWolfIndulgence]

GoingPostal, I'm only about five minutes away from the store in question and he already carries Oliva V and S in robusto sizes, but I'm trying to remember what Grants carries. Problem is, I only smoke padrons and tats at Grants unless Joe suggests something else (Like the Azteca or the Uppercut.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I'd like that back room to have a flair like here, rather than today I was surrounded by "kids" smoking Spice...

Least I had a good book, the last of my And So To Bed, and an Ashton VSG, (which he currently carries)