Cigars/cigar store shelves
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Question
James,
My partners and I are opening a new cigar lounge in Miami and I have two
questions for you. 1) I am looking at the display humidors that have glass
doors but do not like the fact that my customers wont be able to inspect the
cigar without having an employee around. Are there any alternatives besides
commercial sizes humidors?
Also I am having a hell of a time obtain a ballpark figure for an initial buy of
product, any suggestions or advice. Investors are a little picky when it comes
to something called the bottom line. lol
Hi Mario,
Besides glass humidor display cabinets, your only other option is to build a walk-in humidor room that allows customers to freely enter and examine your cigars (while still under employee supervision). Typical fixtures such as video surveilance, security system and large windows/glass walls that separate the walk-in humidor from the rest of the lounge will also help deter any potential theft.
As for initial buy, I really don't specialize in the business aspect of cigars so I can't help you here. If however, you have other questions about cigars or humidor/lounge design, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
James
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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