The Wooden Indian Expeditions

[Smoked!]

The Wooden Indian Expeditions

South Florida is blessed with an abundance of cigar shops… or cursed, depending upon your point of view. It occurred to me that in my neck of the woods there must be fifty cigar shops conveniently located just off the major thoroughfares. There are several within a short drive from my home. Not many of them are “spectacular” destinations. Sometimes the only thing that sets one apart from the others is the Wooden Indian.

Our board already has a B&M thread which includes a link to another site, so this may at first seem redundant. I envision something a little more detailed than just a shop name and an address… but not a review, per se… which would require expertise… which I admittedly do not possess.

When I stop by a shop I’ll snap a few photos and jot down a few impressions. Feel free to do the same, but please be respectful to the shopkeepers and patrons – especially when posting your experiences. I’ll refrain from including the local gas station display of top-shelf White Owls, regardless of the bargain basement prices. *ahem*

Oh, and to give credit where credit is due: The blame for this falls squarely upon badwhale for setting the standard with the photo-enhanced format he introduced in the cigar review forum. (Nice job, whale.)

Disclaimer and Full Disclosure:
Do not smoke. It is bad for you. These cigar shop impressions are provided for informational purposes only. 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. This is just for fun. I think wooden Indians are cool.

[Smoked!]

Shop: Gardens Cigar

Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl 33410
This store is in a Publix Supermarket plaza at the corner of Military and PGA Blvd. It is a few miles east of the PGA National Golf Center.

Atmosphere: This is a compact retail shop. The current owner has been here for five years, but I believe the shop has been around much longer. There is a smoking area near the entry with a fifty inch flat panel television for your viewing pleasure. A few regulars were enjoying lunch, SportsCenter, and cigars. They were all quite cordial and receptive, yet declined to be photographed. Go figure.



Wooden Indian: Yes! Based upon the scale of the sculpture, this example is most likely representative of an ancient indigenous tribe of pygmy natives that by now has been fully assimilated into the modern local culture. This awesomely detailed Chieftain is fully adorned in ceremonial cigar smoking headdress, wears war paint, and carries a large Bowie knife. Frankly, he looked a little pissed when I snapped his photo. We didn’t converse.

Service: Frank knows his inventory and the current state of the cigar business.

Walk-in: The walk-in is a typical cedar-lined, automatically humidified retail display. It measures about ten by ten. There is nothing really special about this one.



Cigars: The selection is somewhat limited. All the usual suspects are present including Padron, Fuente, Patel, etc. The higher end selections are lacking, but I was assured that the shop could order in anything I needed. I did find a few LFD Chisels. Prices are a little better than other nearby shops.



Additional offerings: This is billed as a Cigar, wine, and tobacco shop. There is a limited selection of wine as well as cigarettes and pipe tobacco.


Summary:
Gardens Cigar is a decent local shop. It offers a fair selection of labels in a cozy, friendly atmosphere. It’s nothing flashy, but when you’re visiting the area and want to make a quick stop on your way to PGA National (2 miles west), you will find exactly what you need from a mom & pop operation… sans the higher PGA pricing. Oh, and they have an excellent Wooden Indian.

Disclaimer and Full Disclosure:
Do not smoke. It is bad for you. 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 think wooden Indians are cool.

[badwhale]

Nice job Bro!

This is a great excuse to say to the wife "but but I have to go to the B&M and take more pictures, you know to see if the experience is any different or enhanced now..."

BTW, I doubt I was the first with photo reviews.

Will

[mail man]

BTW, I doubt I was the first with photo reviews.

Will

maybe not the first, but I am sure the best

[denver24]

Nice work!

[mail man]

nice idea smoked, thanks

Keith

[Smoked!]

The Wooden Indian Expedition party returns today with another captivating installment!

Fun Fact 1: Many of the original Wooden Indian statues commissioned in America accurately recorded images of traditional Native American dress. Some sculptors hired Native American models to pose for their creative renditions to ensure greater authenticity. By doing so, the artists recorded valuable information about the local tribes and cultures. Renowned sculptors’ original works can today fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction. Plus, they look cool.


Shop: Smoke Inn – Jupiter / Tequesta

Location: Tequesta Florida, 33469 - tucked in a plaza on the East side of US 1, about one quarter mile north of the historic Jupiter Lighthouse and Loxahatchee River Inlet.



Wooden Indian: Um…Yes. Please understand that I have great respect for the Native American Tribes of Florida. Seriously, I do. Let me describe this while applying a bit of tongue in cheek descriptive license.

Chief Solarcaine does not appear to be an attempt at an accurate historical representation. Our Tequesta warrior sculpture sports a garish, lobster red, slapdash two dimensional gang tag of a paint job. The blurred, grainy photo below is an improvement. This mediocre, sunburned, borderline surrealist rendition of a warrior can not possibly be a fair depiction of the once proud Tequesta Indians. This is just too bad. … *sigh* He is wooden, though. Give them some credit for the effort of hauling this massive log in and out of the shop every day. (They can’t just leave it on the sidewalk overnight; otherwise, it would end up in someone’s garage. *ahem*)




Atmosphere: The shop entry seemed dark and dated. There were a few chairs squeezed in by the entry near the main counter. The customers in the lounge were obviously regulars. They did not appear to share my enthusiasm for this project, hence there is no photograph. There was a fair amount of traffic for a weekday afternoon and Louis, the shopkeeper, was steadily registering sales.


Service: Since Louis was working the afternoon shift solo, he was pressed for time between manning the counter and ringing the register. He made a point of greeting each customer and knew many of them by name. I asked a few simple questions and received polite, decent answers. Louis knows his inventory and knows the cigar business. Good man.

Walk-in: For a compact shop, this location has a very large, well-stocked humidor. Most of the shop’s square footage is dedicated to their well-lighted, cedar lined, electronically controlled humidor. The pristine conditions inside the walk-in contrast starkly with the aged appearance of the foyer.



A few rental lockers are available for seasonal guests. They keep the inventory at a steady 70% RH, as indicated by the plainly visible hygrometer gauge. No, I didn’t ask about the calibration. You can see the locker cabinet in the center aisle.





I rate the walk-in conditions as ‘excellent.’ The stock itself seemed to be in very good condition and there did not appear to be any dead inventory. Based on the traffic, I believe there is sufficient turnover to keep the inventory fresh. Having four additional sister locations can’t hurt either.






Cigars: As far as brand offerings, this shop has a very broad selection. You will find a much better variety of brands and sizes here than in a typical shop of this size. I even spied a full box of MB2 robustos. Prices are in line with the market for Palm Beach.

Additional offerings: This is not a high end retailer. There is a very basic selection of cutters, lighters, and humidifiers. This is likely due to the limited square footage available. IMHO, for a small shop, they have their priorities in order. They simply sell cigars.

Additional amenities: There is a small television, some limited seating, and a bench located outside. Plus, there’s an ice cream shop next door. At the south end of the plaza, there is an excellent old school Italian restaurant named Vulcano’s. It’s been there for 30 years. On the other end of the plaza is a grill and brew pub. They brew in-house and grill a mean grouper sandwich.

Random Thoughts: There is ample parking and plenty of space to erect tents or displays. This would be a great location for a cigar night event if offered in conjunction with additional local activities. For example, the Jupiter Inlet is jammed on holiday weekends. The shop is one mile from several boat launch ramps and three local parks. 2+2 = … 5?

Summary: The Tequesta shop has a very good selection and deep inventory, especially considering the amount of square footage. If you’re in town for business, golf, or sailing, it is definitely worth a stop to resupply. Is it a “destination?” My impression of this particular shop is that it is very much a satellite location. It is one of five Smoke Inn locations in SoFla. Three others are within a 30 mile radius. If you seek an environment to enjoy your cigar and some conversation, there are better choices in Palm Beach.

Disclaimer and Full Disclosure:
Do not smoke. It is bad for you. I have the utmost respect for our Native American brothers. 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. Ice cream is good. I think Wooden Indians are cool.

[cinda]

[badwhale]

Nice job Smoked! I waited all day to come home, and see the pics

Will

[Smoked!]

That's how we roll on Cigar-photographers.com.
(I'm fairly certain that's not a real site.)

[Smoked!]

Is That a Fact? # 2: Cigar store Indians began to disappear with the enactment of sidewalk obstruction laws in the early 1900’s. You may compare this phenomenon to the disappearance of more modern advertising icons such as the Marlboro Man (banned), Joe Camel (banned), or the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (melted down by the Ghostbusters.)






The ugly truth about the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlxlHaHZoRQ


.

[Smoked!]

Shop: Sabor Havana (one of four locations)

Location: Palm Beach Gardens, 33418
Sabor Havana is located on PGA Blvd., just west of I-95 on the south side. It is the northernmost of four South Florida locations.

Wooden Indian: No. I must say I was a little disappointed. Perhaps I should have called first. However, in lieu of an actual Indian, I present for your approval: Dr. Sheldon Cooper as “Cigar Store Indian”, portrayed by Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory.” (I’m sure that CBS and TBBT have copyrights on all related images, so credit them…except for the headdress and the Tat Black bundle.)



(You know you envy my mad Photoshop skills!)

Here is the front entrance. The photo does not do justice to the setting. I plan to go back when it cools down just to enjoy the scenery. I hear they sight cougars here all the time.





Atmosphere: This is definitely a higher end store. The appearance and presentation fit in perfectly with the desired image and attitude of “The Gardens.” *nose in air* PBG was home to many professionals and executives back in the hey-day of Pratt-Whitney at the peak of the defense industry boom era. (Look - a pun!) It’s also close to the island of Palm Beach. Some of that aristocratic snobbery has rubbed off on the commoners. But wait – the guys behind the counter are definitely not affected by whatever is in the water around here. It’s probably because they drink scotch instead. You will appreciate the broad selection and the comfortable lounge.

Lounge/Entry area: The lounge offers comfortable seating facing the main entrance. There is plenty of room to enjoy your cigar, watch one of the three televisions, or browse the web. The gathering area is very clean and well ventilated.





Service: The young man behind the counter greeted me immediately. He dropped his paperwork, rounded the corner, and offered his help. I was impressed by his outstanding attitude. He was more than willing to discuss, at length, the shop’s offerings and cigars in general. He is the type of employee every businessman wants to hire.


Walk-in: The entire store is a humidity controlled walk-in. You can see part of the ventilation system in the photos. There are a few lockers for rent, but they don’t seem to advertize it.





Cigars: This is a fairly new shop in a fairly new plaza, so the stock is in good condition. The variety and breadth of brands reflects the high end focus. This location has more Opus, GoF, and Davidoff styles than any other shop I have seen in this area… so far.





Additional offerings: You guessed it – from desktops, to cutters, to lighters, it’s all high end merchandise. Look:




Additional amenities: There is a small coffee/espresso/wine bar near the lounge. They offer beverages primarily when hosting cigar events.

Summary: If you’re coming to PBG for golf or a visit, definitely stop in here. The guy in episode one is probably a little cheaper, but he’s much more limited. Try not to drool on the inventory, please.


Disclaimer and Full Disclosure:
Do not smoke. It is bad for you. 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 watch the Big Bang Theory on CBS. I have the utmost respect for our Native American brothers. I think Wooden Indians are cool.

[bigwhiteash]

Outstanding!

[denver24]

Thanks for the review!

[heftysmokes]

Great thread!

[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

[Corvin]

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]

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

[craig]

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.

[Smoked!]

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.

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.