Cape Coral cigar bar opens at Shops at Del Sol in Cape Coral, Florida

[JohnS]

Cape Coral cigar bar opens at Shops at Del Sol

By David Dorsey - May 8, 2026

James Kommer has owned a canal-front home in Cape Coral for eight years and has been paying New York state’s 75% tax on cigars for nearly two decades. 

Those factors led to this moment. 

James & Sons Tobacconist cigar bar opened May 8 at Shops at Del Sol, 1110 Solaris Drive, off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. It follows Chicken Salad Chick and Swig, a drive-thru soda shop, as the third tenant in the new shopping center, with Burrito Shak soon to follow. 

James & Sons Tobacconist opened May 8 at Shops at Del Sol in Cape Coral. The cigar bar offers cigars, beer, wine, coffee and espresso inside a 1,700-square-foot space. David Dorsey 

“The difference other than the weather is the taxes,” Kommer said, comparing his Saratoga Springs, New York, location to Cape Coral. “Our taxes in New York are 75% of the wholesale price of tobacco, where in Florida, it’s 0%. So, it makes sense to open up down here. Plus, we love it here.” 

A cigar that sells for $25 in New York costs about $20 in Cape Coral, Kommer said. Prices at the shop start at $12 for the signature James & Sons Connecticut cigar, which uses Nicaraguan tobacco and is described as having creamy, cedar and earthy flavors with a mild 2-out-of-10 strength rating. Customers who buy four cigars receive one free. 

James Kommer smokes one of the signature cigars sold at James & Sons Tobacconist in Cape Coral. The family-owned cigar bar opened May 8 at Shops at Del Sol off Pine Island Road. David Dorsey 

Kommer said the shop carries cigars from Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, with Nicaragua serving as the largest source country. He said James & Sons also offers its own exclusive house blends, including the company’s top-selling cigar at its Saratoga Springs location. 

“We just kill it selling these cigars,” he said. 

Kommer had been searching Southwest Florida for the right location for the new cigar bar for the past five years. Moe Kommer moved 3 miles from the bar and will manage it with a team of four employees. 

From left are Moe, Rose, James and Brandon Kommer inside James & Sons Tobacconist in Cape Coral. The family opened the cigar bar May 8 after operating a Saratoga Springs, New York, location since 2007. David Dorsey 

Brandon Kommer encouraged his father to bring the brand to Florida. He will split time between both locations. 

“My son kept saying, ‘I’m telling you, Cape Coral is the place you want to be,’” James Kommer said of Brandon. 

The Kommers signed a 10-year lease and said they do not have competition for miles. 

“Most of these places are bars that happen to sell cigars,” James Kommer said. “The difference is our main focus is cigars.” 

James & Sons also sells wine, coffee and espresso and has six beers on tap: Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois, Ankrolab Brewing Company’s Turtle Season, a New England IPA; Bone Hook Brewing Company’s Dapper Dan, an American IPA; Scotty’s Bierwerks’ Irish Red; and Coppertail Brewing Company’s Night Swim porter. 

The bar will rotate beers based on demand. 

But the focus within the 1,700-square-foot space will be on cigars, which are stored in a humidor. It is climate-controlled at about 68 to 70 degrees with 68% to 70% humidity. 

“It’s to keep the cigars to their peak freshness,” James Kommer said. 

“I’ve got a cigar in New York that’s been in the humidor there for 26 years.” 

A humidor display inside James & Sons Tobacconist features the company’s exclusive house blends. The Cape Coral cigar bar carries cigars from Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. David Dorsey

The humidor features Spanish cedar shelving designed to help preserve the cigars. The wood absorbs moisture while blocking heat and excess humidity, helping maintain the cigars’ quality and freshness. 

The New York location, at 360 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, opened in 2007 in a former bank that opened in 1866. The two former vaults have been converted into humidors there. That location will remain open, with James and Brandon Kommer set to return soon for an expected rush of customers June 6 during the Belmont Stakes horse race. 

Traditionally held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, the race will again take place this year at Saratoga Race Course while Belmont Park undergoes a reconstruction project. 

Moe Kommer will stay in Cape Coral full time. Born Kyle Kommer, his father said he looked like Moe from “The Three Stooges” after his first haircut as a baby, and the nickname stuck. 

James & Sons Tobacconists is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. 

James Kommer said he is thrilled with the new location and excited to bring his cigar blends to Southwest Florida. “I thrive in it,” he said. “I’m passionate about it. And my sons are, as well.” 

Source: https://www.gulfshorebusiness.com/retail/cape-coral-cigar-bar-opens-at-shops-at-del-sol-mall/article_d43972bd-12be-4b42-880f-4395674bfb3d.html

[Chas.Alpha]

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[Namisgr11]

Having visited nearby Sanibel Island over many years, I know that's a really nice part of the Gulf coast. I wish them the best, and hope that they'll never need their hurricane insurance.