Episode Six - Smoke Inn Port Saint Lucie!
Shop: Smoke Inn – Port Saint Lucie, (Population: Not that many - Hee Haw!)
Location: Somke Inn is located on one of the main thoroughfares a few minutes east of I-95 and the PGA Golf Courses at St. Lucie West.
Wooden Indian: Yes! Finally! This is a fine example of a traditional Cigar Store Indian. The Chief stands about six feet tall, has an appropriate South Florida tan, and sports a fashionable Smoke Inn duffel bag. He is clad in buckskin and wears a tribal leader’s ceremonial feathered headdress. In his left hand is a bundle of colossal cigars. (I’m guessing Flor de Baloney.)
I’m not sure about the weasel looking over his left shoulder. Any guesses?
Atmosphere: This edition of Smoke Inn is off Prima Vista Blvd., on the way to the PGA golf resort in St. Lucie West and the Reserve. Most of the traffic in the shop on this day appeared to be golfers on their way out to the course. There is definitely potential for this shop to accommodate regular gatherings of a cigar smokers’ club.
Service: I spent about 45 minutes smoking and talking with the weekend guy (who prefers to remain unnamed and stayed well wide of the camera lens.) We enjoyed a rambling conversation about the city’s history and how the little town grew up. He makes no claims about his cigar expertise, but he is more than willing to find answers to your cigar related questions.
Walk-in: You may notice a similarity to Smoke Inn’s Tequesta location. The basic layout is the same. Each shop in the chain customizes its storage based on the square footage and code allowances. The stock is in excellent condition and the humidor is very well maintained. Check it out:
Additional amenities: There is a fair selection of accessories and a few desktop boxes to choose from. Opposite the main counter is a small bar offering coffee, espresso, and hot tea. One of the best features is the amount of space dedicated to the smoking lounge near the entry. (Sorry, no photos are included out of respect for customers’ privacy.) I understand there are a couple informal gatherings each week.
Summary: This was my first trip to the shop in a couple years. I found it to be better than average, and possibly the best cigar shop on the Treasure Coast… so far. I liked the relaxed atmosphere. For visitors to the area, this is the only stop you need for resupply. For locals who choose to shop online only - you don’t know what you’re missing.
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. I do watch the Big Bang Theory on CBS. I think Wooden Indians are cool.
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Originally Posted by Smoked!
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