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El Sol and Big Four are two shops under one roof. On the right is a ‘museum’ with various collectibles like cigar box label dies, cigar art prints, and a cool humidor thing that would make Frank Lloyd Wright proud. On the left is the cigar shop and business office. El Sol manufactures a complete line of cigars in Tampa and Central America. They claim to be the oldest cigar store in Tampa, having first opened their doors in 1929. The business is still operated by the original founding family.




The manager/curator was a little too busy to talk to mere mortals so I don’t really know what may be the current inside story. It’s not like I didn’t ask. Since all these shops, bars, and restaurants are competing for the same finite pedestrian traffic, it seems likely they make a better living selling cigars online and t-shirts on fleabay. It makes sense to move toward that business model. An alternate theory: Perhaps they’re just not people… persons.

In lieu of an actual conversation with an employee, I will share this quote from the company website: "Cigars are not vitamins, they're an enjoyment. But the pleasure that a cigar offers goes beyond the smoking, for me anyway. Tobacco has a kind of romance. After these many years, I still get a kick out of opening a fresh box and seeing that row of cigars, all a uniform shade, the wrappers stretched like silk, that sweet aroma wafting up. Even lighting a cigar is a pleasure for me. I'm never alone when I have a cigar going. I don't just taste tobacco, I don't just see a cigar. I can see, taste, smell and feel the earth, the sunshine, the rain and the air trapped in every leaf." ~ Guy, the Founder.

Wow. Mostly I get a tobacco flavor and a lot of smoke. Obviously, I’m doing it wrong.

Moving right along… The El Sol side has a few boxes of cigars on display, but clearly the main enterprise in the shop itself is selling cigar related merchandise. They do have some cool art prints and t-shirts. I am not inclined to research the matter, but they probably list their non-tobacco wares on various internet outlets. Online cigar sales naturally have to run through the store’s website.

I saw a pair of Wooden Indians behind the counter, but the boss seemed very protective of them. Ok. No problem. Cigar Store Indians are typically sculpted holding a traditional tomahawk, knife, bow, or spear. Many also hold forth a cigar bundle. Few are depicted brandishing a rifle. The pair appears pictured below.




The Big Four side also had a decent Wooden Indian. It’s actually one of the better renditions I’ve seen lately. The Chief stands about five feet tall. The details and colors are quite good. Check it out:




This is the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired cigar humidor/display. … Ok. Mr. Wright had nothing to do with it. However, other than the Wooden Indians, it was perhaps the most interesting piece in either store. I wish I had more detailed photos. It is quite tall, standing perhaps seven feet from top to bottom. All of the drawers work, they are connected centrally to allow rotation and adjustment. Each box is cedar lined and contains cedar separators. There is a set of industrial strength rubber casters for easy movement of the entire unit. Sweet! I bid $1.00. … U.S.




Loads of tobacco related goods and artifacts are for sale on the museum side:




These twin cigar-related enterprises are worth a look for hobbyists searching out tobacciana collectibles or cigar art prints. As long as you’re in town, you may as well stop by and check it out. That way you’ll have a rightful claim to having visited the oldest cigar shop in Tampa. So, in sum, I guess I’m saying ‘go there and get the t-shirt.’ It sure beats those touristy Florida shirts some jokers pick out. Ugh.


Disclaimer and Full Disclosure:
Do not smoke too much; it is bad for you. I have the utmost respect for our Native American brothers. They never wear metallic armor. Ice cream is good. Sometimes I use Stay-Puft marshmallows in hot cocoa. I have no financial interest or ownership interest in any cigar shop, store, retailer, wholesaler, distributor, manufacturer, packager, shipper, stevedore, roller, farmer, harvester, or tobacco farm land lease holder, nor do I receive any other benefit, explicit or implied, from the inclusion of or review of any establishment herein named, referred to, or otherwise described. One guy did give me a free cigar. I watch the Big Bang Theory on CBS. We should promote more old-school pirates. Arrrrgh. The most common commodity in this country is unrealized potential. I think Wooden Indians are cool. I wish more Cigar Store Indians were made from actual wood. Please, no flash photography. Yahtzee! Never trust a Ninja Carpenter. FrankLloydWright did not design cigar humidors.