The Wooden Indian Expeditions

**Smoked!** · 02-11-2010, 09:40 PM

Part Two - The Indians of Finck's Cigar Factory Outlet.

This Indian statue is just inside the main entry in the foyer. I like the buffalo cape, but those are some loud pants, Chief.

Here is a closer look.

Shorty, here, is just inside the door to the humi…house. He is about three and one-half feet tall, and the detail is fairly good. You can see an eagle design on the breastplate with some turquoise beading. I wonder what the significance may be. The blue suede shoes are a nice touch.

This Indian almost escaped my notice. He is partially hidden behind a closed cigar case that contains Acids. Sealing Acids off from everything else is definitely a good idea. Even the chief looks a little nauseous.

Would you leave this Punch guy guarding the Padrons? I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. Look at those shifty eyes. He does seem to be a popular figure here in San Antonio. So far, just about every shop has had one on display. Or maybe he’s following me…

**ndv21** · 02-11-2010, 11:50 PM

I drive by fincks to and from work everyday. Its pretty fun on fridays since everybody comes out there to smoke after work. Their prices are amazing as well.

**Smoked!** · 04-27-2010, 08:12 PM

There are more expedition reports, updates on previous entries, and new debriefs to file.

Watch this space!

**Smoked!** · 05-18-2010, 04:42 PM

Episode #22 - Ybor City Series No. 1 – Ybor City, Florida… Hee Haw!

I was fortunate to have the pleasure of making this trip with the one and only badwhale during his sunny, funny visit to fabulous Florida. (Do not challenge him to a game of shuffleboard. Consider yourselves warned!) There is plenty of info online about the Ybor City neighborhood and the Tampa cigar scene in general. In light of the current economy and with the fact that Greater Tampa is flat on it’s financial a$$, the retailers and factories of Ybor are doing well just to stay in business after the collapse of the local real estate market.

Speaking of real estate deals, this area was revitalized in the late 90’s using the city center concept. What is “revitalization?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Revitalization is a process whereby well-connected landowners and politicians pitch an economic stimulus package in order to secure Public Funding, Government Grants, CRA tax exemptions, and subsidized Commercial Loans for the purpose of inflating the values of their slum property holdings and to build new malls nearby. Streets get resurfaced, new highway ramps are added, brokers and bankers float a mountain of debt to tax-advantaged yield hungry investors and unwitting REIT purchasers, politicians get re-elected, developers get rich and move to Vegas, and the targeted neighborhood gets a thorough cleaning along with a new paint job… plus a complimentary window wash and some coupons. Everyone wins. Except America. … Have you guys ever played Jenga? Never mind.

Ybor is one of the oldest Tampa-area neighborhoods. It was built back in the late 1800’s by real businessman with real profits from actual manufacturing and sales. Fascinating concept. (Sorry about the rant. I blame badwhale’s ADHD.) Ybor City currently attracts thousands of tourists, hundreds of local weekend revelers… and at least two cigar junkies.

We visited eight cigar shops on Seventh Avenue, which is the main road through Ybor. At the west end there was a mall-type shopping area called Centro Ybor, but we skipped that part. We also made a short excursion to Tampa ‘Closed on Monday’ Sweethearts, which is located a couple blocks away. They’re closed on Monday. Did I mention that?

Basically, the program worked like this: a) park and then walk both sides of the street, b) stop in and flirt with cigar girls, c) double back and buy stuff, d) snap a few photos. Things don’t always work out the way you think they will. We spent a few hours browsing and chatting with shop owners and staff. I didn’t take enough photos. Also, most of the cigar girls apparently had the day off.

King Corona was the first stop. This shop gets my “best overall cigar-related establishment” rank. I’m certain they’ll be delighted to learn of this prestigious award… or whatever. It is actually two businesses under one roof. There is a cigar humidor side and a café side with seating, beverage and bar service, and a café style menu. Wait. Did I say two businesses? There’s a third one if you include the barber shop. Yes, there’s a barber shop in the cigar store.

King Corona Cigar

There is a cool neon AF sign over top of the entry. I don’t know how long this sign has been up there, but the fittings look very weathered and the style fits the ‘period look’ the re-development people were going for. I would guess it is patterned after something from the late 1950’s or 60’s.

Outdoor seating – I’m pretty sure all six of those heavyweight banker types seated out front fell out of that sleek silver ’01 Saturn - clown car style. The excess weight may explain why the driver’s side rear hub cap popped off. Nice. … Classy.

At last! Finally, we have a cigar shop with an actual Wooden Indian statue made from actual wood! Oh, you can see the barber shop over his left shoulder. Here he is! Chief Corona:

King Corona is probably the most complete and spacious store/café/bar/barber shop on the street. They offer many national brands, but no house blend. There are private lockers behind display case. Check out this tourist trying to lift a few souvenirs on the five finger discount program. Miscreant.

Cool little window mural w/ street images/old tools/menus:

As we worked our way east on Seventh, We came upon perhaps the best non-cigar related display on the avenue:

Save the TaTa’s – this is my kind of town!

In the image below, check out the bra above the right side of the banner. That, my friends, is some serious rigging. All kidding aside, Save the Ta-Ta’s is a decent organization working toward an admirable goal. The Susan G. Komen organization has a bit more reverent approach, but you have to sell ideas to people in different ways. I am certain neither organization would mind me poking, um, making a little fun since I support them… fully… much like the devices in the display. In honesty, my own family has been affected by this scourge. Both are on my list for charitable financial support. I have enjoyed participation in a couple of the local Race for the Cure events sponsored by the latter group.

Next up: Ybor Cigars Plus. You’ll like this one, too!

**badwhale** · 05-18-2010, 09:39 PM

LOL. I give my gut a rating of 3.5 on a scale of 10....give it a few years

yBor was truly one of my vacation highlights. Thanks for hauling my butt around Smoked!

Not cigar related, but I think lunch was pretty noteworthy where 2 slices were ordered, and basically a 1/2 a pie came out...

Will

**Smoked!** · 05-19-2010, 03:30 PM

.

Yeah, I have a couple more shots of "The Shoplifter" coming up.

I forgot about the pizza! We ate all that, too. Holy Cow.

The other thing I would add was the stop by Tampa Sweethearts. I don't have enough material to make a separate post because they were closed on Monday. Did I mention that? There was someone in the office out front, too. I saw him at his desk on the phone. I'm pretty sure it was Artie or Lil' Carl. Really.

Here's the sign out front. Look at all the killer brands they manufacture. Wow. Frickin' Monday...

Thanks for joining me on the trip. Sorry for referring to you as a miscreant. ... Reprobate.