The Wooden Indian Expeditions

**craig** · 09-14-2009, 12:43 PM

Interesting! I'd do the same thing, but the B&M's all look the same here (pdf): http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/hea...atSheet-EN.pdf

FYI, a nice article on cigar store indians I found a while back (pdf): http://www.evanschuman.com/clips/Americana.pdf

**Corvin** · 09-14-2009, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by craig

Interesting! I'd do the same thing, but the B&M's all look the same here (pdf): http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/hea...atSheet-EN.pdf

FYI, a nice article on cigar store indians I found a while back (pdf): http://www.evanschuman.com/clips/Americana.pdf

Come on Craig, the OCE in Ottawa is allowed to have all their cigars on display, they have a certified Tobacconist there so they get away with it that way.

**dmac** · 09-14-2009, 02:14 PM

That nub stand display is pretty neat. Is it a trash can or table, something functional, or is it just a display?

**Smoked!** · 09-15-2009, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by dmac

That nub stand display is pretty neat. Is it a trash can or table, something functional, or is it just a display?

It is just for display. I think it would go great in your living room.

Originally Posted by CRAIG

FYI, a nice article on cigar store indians I found a while back (pdf): http://www.evanschuman.com/clips/Americana.pdf

Thanks for the article. The expeditions are really more about cigar shops as a gathering place and their role in the larger cigar community. It's too easy to forget the value of being part of that community. I thought this would encourage our members to take a closer look at their local B&M's and enhance their appreciation of the industry. Sorry for the blah, blah, blah philosophy. Anyway, thanks again.

**Smoked!** · 09-20-2009, 10:14 PM

Is That a Fact? # 3: American Indians did not typically wear metallic suits of armor.

**Smoked!** · 09-20-2009, 10:20 PM

Shop: Three J’s Cigar Emporium (one of two locations)

Location: Davie, Florida.
The shop is in a strip mall on Griffin Road, just West of University Drive.

Wooden Indian: No. But they did have an Excalibur suit of Armor.

Atmosphere: John has run this shop along with his partners for many, many years. To me, he is the epitome of the old-school hometown shopkeeper. He knows his business and he knows his customers. The shop, like many others, is a walk-in with a counter and a register. I happened to stop in on delivery day. It looked like Christmas with boxes and packaging everywhere.

Service: John knows which end of the perfecto to light. He is also willing to share that knowledge with you if you ask. He has no idea why Gurkhas unravel. … He said he doesn’t try to compete with online retailers on price, but suggests that having a seasoned, experienced guide at your service far outweighs the cost difference when you’re looking for something in particular. John’s daughter, who sometimes steps in to cover a shift, is equally knowledgeable and pleasant. Plus, she is really cute. This is one of those shops in which you just feel at home.

Walk-in: The entire store is humidified. It’s not perfect, but it keeps the stock in good condition. There is fairly high turn-over, as evidenced by the multiple weekly shipment arrivals.

Cigars: The newest creations are always up front. This is one of the first shops in the area to receive new products and they are often chosen to host cigar introduction tour stops. You will find all the popular brands and a deep inventory. I noticed a respectable selection of top shelf labels like Davidoff, Opus, and Crown Max. Prices are average for the area. Check out the Oliva V storage on the top of the display wall:

More:

Additional offerings: There a few basic boxes and cutters available. They can keep you going if you misplace a tool or lighter, but it clearly is not a point of emphasis.

Additional amenities: There is a small, comfortable chair by the door. I think it’s more for Al, the afternoon guy. You can watch television, but again, I think it’s a convenience for the staff while they’re working.

Special Notes: Three J’s hosts multiple cigar night events during the cooler months (November through April.) I have attended a couple and, believe me, they are packed. The last one was sponsored by Rocky Patel. They have a band, food, and the obligatory cigar specials. These are great events for local cigar guys and gals. They’re working the schedule to see if they can get Carlito Fuente to stop by in November ’09. If I go this season, I’ll be sure to post photos.

Summary: John is a cigar pro who knows his industry. If you’re local and haven’t discovered this store, you owe it to yourself to get acquainted. You should definitely plan on hitting their cigar night festivities. Those who visit the area and need to restock their travel humidor will find this shop to be a good choice.

Disclaimer and Full Disclosure:
Do not smoke. It is bad for you. I have the utmost respect for our Native American brothers. They never wear metallic armor. Ice cream is good. 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. I do watch the Big Bang Theory on CBS. I think Wooden Indians are cool.

**FunkyCold5** · 09-27-2009, 08:11 PM

Dang, dude. Where are all these places with Opuses???? Are the prices good?

I'd be buying all those bad boys.

Love the thread, very original.

**EdgeMan** · 01-09-2010, 11:40 PM

Location: Austin, TX. 509 East 6th Street, 2 blocks east of I-35.
URL: http://livecigarrollers.com/
Atmosphere: Very laid back with the zest and excitement of 6th street right outside.
Locals and visitors alike coming in all through the day and night.

Bobalu's has 6 full time rollers most grew up rolling in Cuba.
They are the only rolling school in the USA as far as I know of.
CNN did a skit on them and at that time they were the only rolling school in the country.
The fresh rolls are wonderful. They roll all their own smokes except for the pre-embargo Cubans they have from time to time. They will make you custom labels or a Cuban espresso.
This shop has a great ambiance and live cams on the rollers.
Here are some pics from tonight when I went with my fiance` and we had espresso and and I bought some pipe tobacco and 6 cigars. If you are ever in Austin do yourself a favor and have a fresh roll.
No Indian. Great place. Great stogies.

These fresh rolls are Dominican Binder and Filler.

The Pre-Embargo Cubans from 1959 are wonderful!

**Smoked!** · 01-11-2010, 11:09 PM

Nice post, Edgeman. Bobalu's looks like a cool little cigar factory. Too bad about the missing Indian, though.

I think there are still a couple small factories near Tampa in Ybor City, FL, that teach rollers. I'm going over that way in a couple weeks so maybe I'll try to stop by one. Who knows, I may even run into a celebrity or two.

**EdgeMan** · 01-12-2010, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by Smoked!

Nice post, Edgeman. Bobalu's looks like a cool little cigar factory. Too bad about the missing Indian, though.

I think there are still a couple small factories near Tampa in Ybor City, FL, that teach rollers. I'm going over that way in a couple weeks so maybe I'll try to stop by one. Who knows, I may even run into a celebrity or two.

Yeah, no Indian but very cool place. Great smokes too.

**craig** · 09-14-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Corvin

Come on Craig, the OCE in Ottawa is allowed to have all their cigars on display, they have a certified Tobacconist there so they get away with it that way.

I forgot about OCE. I haven't been to OCE in about a year, and it hasn't been for lack of trying. Even when the hours posted on the door (and website) says that they're supposed to be open - they've been closed. I used to try and drop in every few weeks after work; I haven't bothered for a few months now. Fugg'em, Matthew gets all my business now.