B&M Changes

[SoCal gunner]

A couple of years ago California passed yet another tobacco tax but this time instead of just hitting the poor cigarette folks, this one stepped across the line and hit both cigars and chewing tobacco.

This means paying a 69% tax at the register. Which is on top of all the other taxes a B&M owner experiences like a floor tax, not to mention the cost to keep the lights on and employ people.

California also has this law where there's no smoking allowed in establishments that sell alcohol. Some places have established a work around by becoming a private club or lounge. But even this loophole is getting closed with the health department.

We've lost a lot of good lounges in the last couple years. It's a real shame too because a lot of these people were following the American dream by having their own business in a field that they personally enjoy.

So what happens at the lounges that are left outside of the big cities is having you pay $10 for a no name cigar or $15 for something in the back of a CI catalog.

Still, I try to go now and then to support those that are left. When I do I typically go top shelf because to me it feels better to pay $27 for a padrone then it does $15 for a "Monte Cristo".

[Cigarer]

I'm in NY so we scared away most everyone from doing business. My local B&M never has anyone smoking cigars in it. Couple high tops with no chairs, small walk in with a fair selection, coffee, news on a small TV, and waaay overpriced accessories. Course scratchers and other tobacco but that's it.

There's 2 places in Syracuse which is an hour away from me, but I've never been. So it's really hard to judge. I ship my cigars in usually, and locals meet up at a couple bars with patios.

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[Nature]

After reading these, I count myself lucky. That is not a trend I have seen here. I have two very nice true Cigar bars within 15 of my house and a couple more well stocked cigar stores with smoking areas. Both of the nearby cigar bars are often times busy. Neither one cares if you bring your own. I still buy from them though.
One if them just bought a barrel of Blantons and released about half the bottles were made available for sale. A complete set on a barrel stave was also auctioned off. Anyway, the true cigar bars seem to be thriving.

[Rocket Scientologist]

After reading these, I count myself lucky. That is not a trend I have seen here. I have two very nice true Cigar bars within 15 of my house and a couple more well stocked cigar stores with smoking areas. Both of the nearby cigar bars are often times busy. Neither one cares if you bring your own. I still buy from them though.

Same here, about being lucky. I can think of 4 cigar lounges/bars in St. Louis within 20 miles right off the top of my head. 1 is a true cigar bar - Nice walk-in humidor with a full bar, leather chairs, etc. 2 are BYOB, both with great selections. The 4th used to be my hangout as it's close, but is also the one with the worst selection, they sell bottled beer (so not BYOB), and keep changing the rules and store hours. A bunch of the regulars complain, but there's not another option nearby so we just deal with it.

You guys in NY just need to move to the Midwest. It's pretty great out here.

[Brimy]

You guys in NY just need to move to the Midwest. It's pretty great out here.

Actually doing the research to see if I can open a lounge/bar!

[greige matter]

I was in Pittsburgh a couple weeks ago to see the Rangers play the Penguins. Forgot to pack any cigars so was looking for a place to pick up a couple. Found a place on the Strip called Leaf and Bean. Great place to hang out and smoke a couple cigars. Great bunch of regulars there and hung out while my wife went off shopping. Dinish Patel showed up and was handing out free cigars. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the Pittsburg area.

[TCBSmokes]

My most local shop which also had a lounge granfathered* in closed up a year or two ago.

Don't know the reason but imho if it's not the taxes (moreso in other states) then it's the online competition on overall price that is hurting many of the b&m's. And of course not just in the cigar industry but in many others, too. Hence the ghost town some malls have become.

Which reminds me, the long established "Tinder Box" (a national chain of cigar shops) also closed in the local mall.
So to answer your question, @jhendrick, here in NC anyway, yes, this is a trend.

* btw, by "grandfatheted" I mean the law in NC currently states that all cigar shops, bars, lounges and the like that include smoking on-premise must be free-standing facilities and not part of a series of attached businesses like a strip center or such.

The one I mentioned that closed up was in a strip center, so who knows, aside from the business challenges I mentioned maybe the rent just got too high or the landlord decided not to renew their lease.

Not a big deal to me because like @emperorzurg, i never felt at home there as carrying on a conversation was like pulling teeth (like seemingly everywhere else I go here).
Now, when in NY, I frequent a little shop that has a friendly owner and great folks coming and going and I've always had a very good time. Go figure.

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