looking for info on starting my own shop

**madrigal** · 06-15-2005, 03:19 PM

how and who do i buy from a distributor or ?

**alexgtp** · 06-15-2005, 03:41 PM

I would contact the RTDA.
They can help you out.

http://www.rtda.org/

**Roham** · 06-15-2005, 05:05 PM

I would also just get in touch with any of the actual cigar makers and they might direct you to local or national distributors

**CoventryCat86** · 06-15-2005, 05:17 PM

You want info on starting your own shop?

DON'T DO IT

It's extremely difficult to make money running a cigar shop these days with cigars so readily available on the internet. Not only that, the cigars that most everyone wants to buy (Opus X, Padron, Davidoff) you'll never be able to get your hands on so you'll just be stuck selling the low end stuff which anyone can get cheaper on-line. There is very little money to be made in the business and if you have to borrow money to start the business up, be prepared to lose it all once you have to fold the business.

If you're hell bent on owning and running a shop then I would highly recommend that you BUY and EXISTING business AFTER you look at his books to see if you can really make the money you need to make on your investment.

There are thousands of better uses of your money rather than losing it running a cigar shop. It's a lot easier and far less headaches just buying cigars and keeping your money than it is to own your own shop.

**ggiese** · 06-15-2005, 07:43 PM

I was just talking to my shop owner and one of the cigar reps about this very issue a few days ago. The shop I frequent has been in business since before the last boom. He said he watched the whole cigar market literally dry up and shops closed left and right. He was able to survive because he got into it at the right time.

We are currently into another mini cigar boom, according to the rep. He said sales of cigars has not been this good for a few years - and it just keeps getting better every day. This worried him, especially given the last boom. He is thinking that as this boom brings cigar companies deeper into the market, offering a wider variety and adding more lines to the already heavily saturated market, his feeling was that there will be a plateau coming up, and most likely a shrink. He does not believe we will have a bottom out like the last time - primarily because most cigar companies are far wiser than the last one - but those that open cigar shops right now had better have substantial resources to weather the shrink that he feels is coming.

My shop owner agrees with that assessment, saying he was glad when he got in and glad he is positioned where he is now. He has low debt (he has bought his building and over the years has slowly expanded appropriately to match the current situation). He is prepared to cut back if necessary, without having to shut down the business. In other words, he has the resources to weather a shrink, if and when it comes.

**cigarsarge** · 06-15-2005, 08:05 PM

If you really want to know the ins and outs a good friend of mine just bought the local shop. I'll be glad to hook you up with him. He bought an established shop...30 years plus in business.

**Cigar Jack** · 06-15-2005, 08:31 PM

You will need to have an online presence to really survive I think.

**CoventryCat86** · 06-15-2005, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Cigar Jack

You will need to have an online presence to really survive I think.

Good point Jack. A friend of mine has had a shop for about five years and pretty much the only way he survives is with his internet sales.

**Cigar Jack** · 06-15-2005, 11:22 PM

I found a local guy to build some custom stuff. I'm going to set up a store as an off shot of my blog that sells cigar accessories. Not going to sell cigars though, I don't want to go through the hassle of getting a tobacco license just yet.

**Kenyth** · 06-16-2005, 02:17 PM

I wouldn't open a shop that sold only cigars. The best I've seen combine with another more lucrative business. Such as, a cigar shop/bar, cigar shop/gift shop, or cigar shop/tobacco store. The tobacco store and gift shop combos seem to suffer more than the others out of these combinations.

The most successful and best I've seen is a large cigar humidor and liquor store with a decent selection of basic booze and cigarettes, smoking/drinking accessories, fine wine, fine spirits, and microbrews along with the cigars. All the best liquor stores in town sell at least some fine cigars in a small humidor.

The lesson to be learned from the local business techniques seems to be, establish a fine liquor store, then build a walk-in humidor.

**CoventryCat86** · 06-16-2005, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Kenyth

I wouldn't open a shop that sold only cigars. The best I've seen combine with another more lucrative business. Such as, a cigar shop/bar, cigar shop/gift shop, or cigar shop/tobacco store. The tobacco store and gift shop combos seem to suffer more than the others out of these combinations.

The most successful and best I've seen is a large cigar humidor and liquor store with a decent selection of basic booze and cigarettes, smoking/drinking accessories, fine wine, fine spirits, and microbrews along with the cigars. All the best liquor stores in town sell at least some fine cigars in a small humidor.

The lesson to be learned from the local business techniques seems to be, establish a fine liquor store, then build a walk-in humidor.

There ya go!! It just depends on what your state allows. For instance I know that in Connecticut, you could NOT do that because of the way liquor stores are regulated. But Connecticut is anal about things like this and more normal state would probably allow such a business.

**Drake** · 06-16-2005, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by CoventryCat86

There ya go!! It just depends on what your state allows. For instance I know that in Connecticut, you could NOT do that because of the way liquor stores are regulated. But Connecticut is anal about things like this and more normal state would probably allow such a business.

they have one like that in the front of my parent's neighborhood

**opie** · 06-16-2005, 02:46 PM

My four partners and myself are currently opening a Cigar manufacturing plant in Honduras.
It looks as if we are at the start of a "mini boom". At least I hope so!

**Roham** · 06-21-2005, 11:36 AM

Can I be one of the first to try your cigars? It would be an honor

Have you guys already started production or experimenting with different blends?

**Diesel Grinch** · 06-21-2005, 12:13 PM

Welcome Opie from New Jersey.

**grand cru no 2** · 06-21-2005, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by opie

My four partners and myself are currently opening a Cigar manufacturing plant in Honduras.
It looks as if we are at the start of a "mini boom". At least I hope so!

Welcome aboard Opie!!! Now, does this mean you will be offering personal cigar lines to your cigarsmokers.com BOTLs at cut-rate prices?

**CoventryCat86** · 06-21-2005, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by opie

My four partners and myself are currently opening a Cigar manufacturing plant in Honduras.
It looks as if we are at the start of a "mini boom". At least I hope so!

On the contrary, I thought many experts have already decided the second "mini boom" is just about over.

**Kenyth** · 06-22-2005, 02:05 PM

It's possible that it's coming to an end. Others think there will be more renewed interest as time goes on. Micro-brews and fine wines are still enjoying a renewed interest boom. An interest in these may lead to a cigar interest for smokers. I notice more and more liquor stores, coffee shops, and breweries stocking fine cigars. This may prove to be detrimental to the traditional tobacconist, but may stimulate some interest in people who otherwise would just pass on them.

**Purobrat** · 06-22-2005, 06:09 PM

I've got some plans for a shop I'm going to open some day down here in Texas. I'll have to look for them, but if you're interested I could send them to you. You could just reciprocate by sending me a cigar or two.

**CoventryCat86** · 06-22-2005, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Purobrat

I've got some plans for a shop I'm going to open some day down here in Texas. I'll have to look for them, but if you're interested I could send them to you. You could just reciprocate by sending me a cigar or two.

LMFAO!! His plans were for a Cigar Shop in a double wide mobile home so I dunno if you'd be able to use them.