A Cigar Store Must Have...

[nyisles]

Well the cigar shop I am in the process of opening is getting closer and closer to the opening date. I am about to place our orders and my question is this....

What do you feel is a must have for cigar stores... What is it that you like to see in terms of merchandise that other cigar stores tend to forget...

[Rah55]

Hmmmm...I'd have to say my local B&Ms are pretty well stocked but, the best stocked stores can still fail without the right people. On the other hand, good people can make up for other shortcomings so, I say look to the people you hire. Make sure they are knowledgable, personal and the type of people you would like to have a smoke with and you can't go far wrong.

[AdReNaLiN jUnKeE]

barry in all honestly.. customer service. cs is what makes or breaks any business. if you have very good cs your going to get very good reviews by customers. stock the humi well, have a smoking area, offer drinks/discounts/a club to regulars. and just be courteous! that is what would sell me for sure. the b&m i go to closest to my house is very very small...like hole in the walll small. but they have a good selection and the guys wife is a very nice sight *haha milf* but the CS isnt there. of course they are more then happy to help if asked a question but id honestly like somebody to ask me if they can help me find anything or how my day is... jsut general small talk

but thats just me, i come from the west coast where this is everyday practices... it seems out here in the northeast if you ask somebody how their day was in the grocery store your looking for a beatdown.. hahaha

[NullSmurf]

Pipe tobacco. Bulk selections are good, but imported tins is a good sign of a well stocked B&M. I look for an old English decor and I look to see that every square inch has a purpose. To Zach's comment, it distresses me to see owners having to use unskilled staff who couldn't tell a WOAM from an Acid, especially if they follow me around the humidor, making sure I'm not stealing. Ugh.

[AdReNaLiN jUnKeE]

oh no i agree but assuming barry is going to running the place... i wouldnt worry too much about that ;) even just something like what i ahd said when the customer comes in is enough to make me feel more comfortable... personally if someone doesnt greet me when i come into their place of business to possibly purchase something i can feel slightly awkward and almost not welcome.

but of course that could jsut be me

[vivalanation734]

I agree with bruce, tinned pipe tobacco is legit.

Also customer service is key. For example, the prices at Corona Cigar in Orlando are a little high.. like an extra 10-20%, but I still go there because their customer service is great. The second you walk in someone will greet you and see if they can help. They ask you what cigars you like and make knowledgeable recommendations.

CS will be the deciding factor in having a successful B&M.

[nyisles]

CS is going to be key just dont want to overlook ordering anything...

[AdReNaLiN jUnKeE]

make sure you stock full of opus x, padron annis, davidoffs, and of course casa fuentes gonna have to go to vegas for those but well worth it!.

also buy one get one free for all cigaroutcast members :D

[Jcaprell]

The most important thing a shop can have is a friendly face to greet you as you come in the door, ask you if you need any help as you approach the humidor, and check in on you while you are in the humidor with a "are you finding everything okay sir?" or "is there anything at all I can help you with?" Then as I am making my purchase, I love when they reiterate their question of " did you find everything okay?".

But the two most important things to me are the greeting as you walk in the door, and a polite friendly "im here to help you" attitude throughout the entire experience. Oh and a "have a great day sir and enjoy those smokes!" is always nice too :)


As far as merch. A nice supply of cutters and lighters. Everything from cheapos to palios and xikars. You dont know how many new smokers come into the store when Im hanging out and need to buy a cutter. Happens at least once every time im there.

I also agree on pipe tobacco and maybe a small selection of pipes should you feel so inclined.

Oh and give away matches to those who need them. Ask every costumer if they would like some matches with their purchase. You dont even know what kind of an impression that makes on a customer.

[AdReNaLiN jUnKeE]

good call josh and nice first post here...
glad you came over man!

[oldpirate]

Obviously a great selection of cigars. I like a place to sit and smoke too. A good selection of lighters, cutters and paraphenalia is mandatory.

I'm always surprised when a shop doesn't have a web site, so that's a given.

[cboor001]

barry in all honestly.. customer service. cs is what makes or breaks any business. if you have very good cs your going to get very good reviews by customers. stock the humi well, have a smoking area, offer drinks/discounts/a club to regulars. and just be courteous! that is what would sell me for sure. the b&m i go to closest to my house is very very small...like hole in the walll small. but they have a good selection and the guys wife is a very nice sight *haha milf* but the CS isnt there. of course they are more then happy to help if asked a question but id honestly like somebody to ask me if they can help me find anything or how my day is... jsut general small talk

but thats just me, i come from the west coast where this is everyday practices... it seems out here in the northeast if you ask somebody how their day was in the grocery store your looking for a beatdown.. hahaha

which west coast did you come from??? I have been there, and think the beatdown you are referring to is there, not the northeast.

[Jcaprell]

Obviously a great selection of cigars. I like a place to sit and smoke too. A good selection of lighters, cutters and paraphenalia is mandatory.

I'm always surprised when a shop doesn't have a web site, so that's a given.

I will second a good place to sit and smoke. While it is not mandatory, it is really nice to sit and enjoy a smoke or two with others and talk it up. You make so many great friends that way.

[AdReNaLiN jUnKeE]

cali chris. northern to be exact. and i was devistated when i moved here from there and found out nobody likes you here... lmao

[Jdogg440]

Josh has some great ideas.
The only thing i'd add, that is also a thing in my local b&m, there is a section of cigar smokers with the nice couch and tv and magazines and such to look at, but there is also a section for cigarette smokers that is seperated from the cigar smokers. There is nothing worse than walking into cigarette smoke after enjoying a nice cigar.
CS is number 1, i have walked into a few where the owner was defiantly there NOT to help people, and others that i have had GREAT service.
a good section of cigars, and cutters, and lighters is a huge plus too, but someone there to help explain how to use, maybe how to fill your lighter, or teach you tips/tricks of your new acouterment helps too.
Was in habanapremium a few weeks back and was having trouble filling a lighter i bought there and the guy at the counter spent a good 5-10 minutes with me explaining to me the best way to fill/purge the system. i know its something simple, but that is the type of thing that brings me back there time and time again.

[SoTL1977]

Everything attitude has already been nailed exactly, so I'll throw in my 2c on material stuff: for a lounge, a TV is nice but isn't essential; comfy chairs, if there's no TV then relaxing classy music (if you get Sirius Radio - and I think you should and write it off - I'd suggest the Sinatra channel and the Sirius Pops Classical. I haven't checked out the jazz channels, but I'm more into swing). Magazines such as Smoke, CA, Pipes & Tobacco for sale and maybe old copies for flipping through while you're waiting for your buddies to show up. And, events or a weekly club meeting would be cool too.

[TravelingJ]

Berger lamps, and their associated oil. We always light ours up after I smoke, to get the stale smell out of the RV. My mom bought ours for us at Outlaw Cigars...as a christmas present to my girlfriend! They have designs from masculine to feminine and a ton of scents.

It's also nice for the place to have travel accessories. The different cigar caddies, TSA approved lighter cases, etc.

Maybe even some Forrestrays?

[Wideboy]

I think that everyone has hit the customer service thing, but in my recent trips to some of the local B&Ms the thing that I missed most was a welcoming feel. The sales staff was Knowledgeable and reasonably friendly, but even though they had lounges I felt no inclination or invitation to sit and smoke and chat. And that was part of the hope for the afternoon. But even after some intelligent Cigar conversation and purchasing a significant quantity of cigars, the people just seemed to wander away without any sort of interest. Now I admit I am not the most outgoing, but I am not a troll or an introvert either. So I think that along with all the CS you have to make those people who come in the door feel welcome and want to make your shop a special place. As far as stock goes I think that the best shops I have been in have a wide range in the price and quality of their smokes, but that the cheapie sticks are in the minority and there is an emphasis on good quality smokes, and then of course a decent selection of premium sticks for those that can afford them.

[ylo2na]

Well, being the new guy on the block regarding outfitting a cigar shop, you definitely need accessories for cigar smokers. Therefore, I would recommend, "Carlitos Stogie Nubber", simply because it works, most guys smoke their fav's down to the nub, and I like it! Did I say I was the inventor...ooooops! Sorry! Anyway, this is not a push to advertise, but, just a suggestion! And, every cigar smoker who smokes their cigars to the nub, really should have one!!!!!
My very best to you on the "opening"!
Best,
Ylo2na

[jitzy]

cigars and customer service and everything else should fall into place

[nyisles]

Was looking for brands, but I get the drift. Ill post when we are open.

[TravelingJ]

Oh. Sorry. I had seen that you put out a note to all the manufacturers that were on CL, so personally, I assumed you had that covered.

As to brands, I just want to see what ever is new and hot. I'm a sucker for shiny new things, and want to be trying it all out. After I grab a few of the newest sticks, I head for a few Tat's, Illusione's, or Oliva's.

[Shelby07]

Be careful about going overboard on the high end cigars. You'll want some, but know your market and their comfortable price range. If you're in an area where folks want a $5-7 cigar you ain't gonna sell the higher end stuff. Do some research before you stock the shelves. You can always increase your stock of the high dollar stuff once you hit the break even point.

[AdReNaLiN jUnKeE]

as for cigars... i say CAO, ACID, Rocky Patel, tat, illusione, oliva, nub, monte, padron for higher end smokes, arturo fuente.

i donno what else id really want

[Cigary]

The most important thing a shop can have is a friendly face to greet you as you come in the door, ask you if you need any help as you approach the humidor, and check in on you while you are in the humidor with a "are you finding everything okay sir?" or "is there anything at all I can help you with?" Then as I am making my purchase, I love when they reiterate their question of " did you find everything okay?".

But the two most important things to me are the greeting as you walk in the door, and a polite friendly "im here to help you" attitude throughout the entire experience. Oh and a "have a great day sir and enjoy those smokes!" is always nice too :)


As far as merch. A nice supply of cutters and lighters. Everything from cheapos to palios and xikars. You dont know how many new smokers come into the store when Im hanging out and need to buy a cutter. Happens at least once every time im there.

I also agree on pipe tobacco and maybe a small selection of pipes should you feel so inclined.

Oh and give away matches to those who need them. Ask every costumer if they would like some matches with their purchase. You dont even know what kind of an impression that makes on a customer.

Ditto is written all over this post. I have seen B&M's all over the US and the ones that are always successful are the ones where the owners and managers make you feel that you are at home, they get to know your name and know you personally. Anyplace that makes you feel important enough to get to know who you are is a place where people want to come,,,"Cheers" comes to mind. Who doesn't want to hangout at a place where you feel welcome each and everytime you step inside. I know a restaurant in San Diego that has been going strong for over 40 years because of this concept of getting to know their customer base. Each person who steps back into the restaurant is called out by name and those people became regulars and it wasn't because the food was so great. They loved coming back because they felt part of a family and it's important that any person you hire compliments this simple premise.

As for brands of cigars I've seen B&M's put up a box for ideas of what their customers like the most. The more you can pull from your customers and keep them in your store the more successful you will be. Big Screen TV with couches and chairs, Sunday Football, Monday Night Football, any excuse to get asses in the chairs and keep them there and smoking. Crowds are always a great indicator for others to want to come in and see what is going on. Ensure that anytime a new customer or old one comes in that he is treated special and then introduce yourself and the staff to them and let them know you are there for them,,,,and always smile, eye contact, etc etc. Within a years time you will have regulars out the A and they will do the rest of your work for you because they will go out and tell others,,,word of mouth is your greatest friend. Good luck and hope one day to visit your place.

[vivalanation734]

Brands.. Tat, Nub, Oliva, DPG, RP, Don Francisco, Padron, and whatever you like,\.

[ggiese]

A poker table!!! All great cigar shops have a poker table!!! :D

[patefengreen]

The Drew Estates are a must from what I've heard from other shop owners. Also, something affordable like the Flor de Oliva's and then all the good old regular gamut of brands like what's already been mentioned. I'd say stock your humi with as much diversity as you can afford to float. (I know, easier said than done.) Everyone's looking for something different, so get to know your clientele and build upon that, staying well stocked in what you're moving the most of. But the more brands you can cover the better. Keep in mind that some people will remember their first impression. So back to the customer service aspect, don't hesitate to let them know you just opened up and you've got more stock coming in soon. The last thing you want is for people to be turned off and not come back if you're not carrying certain brands in the early days.

Sounds like a scary, yet exciting venture. Best of luck Barry and keep us posted.

[SVB]

If I live close - a seriously chill lounge stocked with all types of beverages (i.e. ATMOSPHERE)

If I don't live close - willingness to ship me a box or two of Opus 3 times a year @ retail less 10% and no in-state tax! ;)

[Diesel Grinch]

Most have covered the basics but I have one thing to add. Don't gouge your customers. I don't mind paying a little extra over MSRP for good service, some where to smoke, or conversation. I just don't like seeing prices that are just plain wrong. I have seen twice(or more) MSRP on some HTF(also the everyday stuff) items just becuse the person doesn't have the account and had to buy it from another B&M. If you need to get something that you don't have an account for just mark it up a little over what you paid.

Can be the nicest B&M around but if I feel they are trying to rob me then I don't bother going back.

On a side note you should check out the following linky (http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47392) Nice group of guys that meet once a month to smoke.

DG

Good Luck.

[LkyLindy]

UMMMMMMMMMMM................Show Girls--Always a big hit

[Webmeister]

A couple of items I ended up having to order off eBay that I wished one of the local B&M's carried...

Wolf Premium SS V Cut Cigar Cutter
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wolf-Premium-SS-V-Cut-Cigar-Cutter-Black-NEW_W0QQitemZ330273474932QQ

Castleford Leather Pipe Couch
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CASTLEFORD-LEATHER-PIPE-COUCH-1-PIPE_W0QQitemZ260289360134QQ

[GotaCohiba]

I find myself smoking mostly boutique brand cigars, so a good selection of those would be a must for a local to me.