Cigars/going into business
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Question
I am planning a small cigar bar business. Any suggestions??
I already own the bar and have a license to sell.
Hi Christine,
Here are a few suggestions for your cigar bar:
- When stocking cigars at your cigar bar, be sure to stock popular PREMIUM brands. Lesser-known brands are less likely to sell.
- Offer fair prices. If you markup the prices too high, the cigars won't sell.
- For the best price, get all your cigars from a distributor/wholesaler (or buy online) instead of buying from retail shops.
- Try to offer humidor lockers that regular customers can rent from you to store their cigars.
- Make sure your cigar humidor is properly maintained and checked on a daily basis to ensure that the cigars do not have mold or tobacco beetles. (If not daily, check at least 2-3 times a week.)
- Try to host cigar brand launch parties, promotional cigar parties or special cigar nights. This will attract more customers.
- Try to have a comfortable and quiet place for cigar smokers to sit and enjoy their drinks and cigars. Cigar lounges and bars have different atmospheres so it's important that the cigar smokers at your bar have a relaxing place to enjoy their cigars.
- Make sure you have lots of ashtrays, lighters (torch and traditional flame) and cigar cutters on hand.
Hopes this helps. If you have any more questions, 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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