Hospitality Will Change The Cigar Industry

[JohnS]

This is an interesting video from Creekside Cigar Co. which outlines their vision behind their cigar lounges. As referenced in their description on YouTube, "What if the future of the cigar industry isn’t just about better cigars… but better hospitality?" What do you think? Feel free to leave your comments below...

[BrightonCorgi]

Looks like a nice cigar lounge no doubt. Hospitality cannot save the cigar business. It can certainly ensure their business is more successful.

[JohnS]

I guess that with the pricing of cigars being what it is nowadays, this personal touch in regards to customer service makes a difference.

[AshMe Nothing]

It’s a 1 1/2 hr drive from me. I will have to check them out next time I’m in the Cincy area. My only concern is that they want you to smoke their cigars and not your own. Not sure how strict they are but I usually don’t smoke anything unless it’s been in my humidor 1-2 months minimum. I would absolutely buy something from the humidor. Not buying a cigar would be like going to the liquor store just to look around. Just doesn’t happen. Maybe just need to stop by and chat them up and have a smoke.

[Lucas Buck]

On 3/3/2026 at 10:54 PM, AshMe Nothing said:

It’s a 1 1/2 hr drive from me. I will have to check them out next time I’m in the Cincy area. My only concern is that they want you to smoke their cigars and not your own. Not sure how strict they are but I usually don’t smoke anything unless it’s been in my humidor 1-2 months minimum. I would absolutely buy something from the humidor. Not buying a cigar would be like going to the liquor store just to look around. Just doesn’t happen. Maybe just need to stop by and chat them up and have a smoke.

They should at least have a cutting fee or minimum bar tab to let you smoke your own. This to me is a major hospitable accommodation. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

Story time!

A few years ago I got to go down to DR with Davidoff and spend a few days with them (jealous @LizardGizmo?) Unbeknownst to me, the trip also included their top performing retailers from around the US.

Now as a former GM of a large retailer in Canada, this was a great opportunity for me to soak up as much information as I could.

It was like a script, for every single one of them. The customer experience was the forefront of what drove every decision they made, and was clearly behind what made them successful when the cigar shop down the street was not.

And I can tell you having been in some of the more successful shops, it's pretty clear 10 feet in the door who takes it seriously and who doesn't.