The future of the B & M cigar store

Joined Oct 2012
1K Posts | 45+
Connecticut
I rarely visit a B&M as there are none within 20 miles and the one 23 miles away has less cigars than I have. I wonder if the future is bright or dim. My last in person buy was at a gas station/convenience store 52 miles away that had a humidified selection that was fairly good. I went there because I heard they had Topstone directors and they did along with a few dozen premium cigars.
The big factors will be the popularity of cigars and the economy. Online sellers may also play a great part in how much business a B&M will get. Hoping to hear Vince's ideas on this as well as everyone else's.
 
just had a good week at the shop, we had above average sales all week & I was open on the 4th to the tune of 400 Bucks, I had to hire a new guy for the evening shift , he is working 6 to 9 Tues , wed. & Thursday s, I stay my self till 11 on Friday & a there is a guy on Saturday noon till when ever he get tired & goes home , usually 10, 11 or most of the time after midnight when he is sober enough to drive, , my closest competition is in Sewickley but it is a buy & fly shop, no lounge, no BS, no free coffee no TV or music, get in get your cigars & get out, he has a NICE selection of cigars & I have bought a lot of stuff there in the past, he carrys a lot of the high end stuff like Zino . I don't stock much of anything over 15 Bucks a stick, So I don't have opus or zino my self but I do like to have one here & there , & I pay full retail when I go there, , I am about 20 miles from Down town Pittsburgh & there are a lot of shops in da burgh itself & I go to them all . Tony I don't ship all that much but I will ship you what ever you want , IF I have it in stock..... jI have a few buddys who have moved away & I supply them a few times a year, I ship to Japan & Europe & to beat the import duty I never list it as cigars, on the international shipping labels as to keep the customer from paying the import duty.... Just like the stuff I used to get from Hong Kong & Switzerland, but I got a letter from the dept. of the treasury & I stopped importing contraband cigars years ago , now I just get them when some one is traveling !!!! hahahaha , being 20 miles away from anyone else with a lounge is great for the bottom line, this Oct. we will be open 7 years , the shop is paying for it self & there is a little money to play with but when we started out with 20K in inventory , we are up over 100K now, maybe more I haven't looked at the numbers for a few months , as long as the bills are paid & the sales keep the doors open I see an expantion in a few years.... Enjoy, Vince
[/I]
 
I've smoked a couple of Zino's and they wouldn't pull me into a shop. Sounds like your operation has a couple of extras to increase sales- the social lounge effect and the mail orders.
 
Average

I'm sure B&M has taken a few hits, but they are still doing quite well. I guess it just depends on your location!
 
There was a B&M option during the premium boom era about 15 miles away in a liquor store owned by relatives. They had a walk in humidor and a several dozen choices. When the fad faded they stopped adding inventory and gradually discontinued cigars altogether. With smoking regulations continuing to place restrictions and unstable demand there seems to be concern for the future.