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| EVER HEARD OF A CIGAR “RAVE”? |
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Page 1 of 2  Plus: Kinky Friedman considering another run for Texas governorLos Angeles, January 28 – The smoking ban in Illinois has really made things difficult for cigar smokers. In addition to closing many favorite locations for smoking, smokers have been finding their favorite shops a lot more crowded because retail tobacco shops are one of the few places allowed under law to permit smoking. A recent story in Crain’s Chicago Business noted that Diana Silvius is considering adding a third floor to her popular Up Down Tobacco shop on North Wells Street to create additional lounge space. Her shop is already perfectly suited to accommodate smokers once the weather gets better in Chicago since she has an extensive garden area right behind the shop, complete with a bar and barbeque set. And the wildest response to the smoking ban so far was reported by Crain’s, which said that “A recent advertisement on Craigslist in Chicago promoted monthly ‘Cigar Raves’ with DJs, a prime rib buffet, roving cigarette girls and a $75 entry fee. Those interested were to sign up by e-mail.” Cigar “raves”? Is this what we have come to? New Mexico smoking ban causes new cigar bars to open: With the imposition of the state’s smoking ban, Albuquerque cigar lovers were thrown out in the cold with everyone else. Even though there was a provision in the law that allowed smoking in cigar bars, the only stand-alone cigar bar went out of business months ago. But, according to the Albuquerque Tribune, smoking facilities – especially cigar bars – are popping up to allow cigar lovers, as well as cigarette smokers, to enjoy themselves indoors instead of out in the cold. The Tribune noted the renovation of Billy’s Long Bar, which turned a pool room into a cigar lounge. “It’s pretty much packed every day,” said manager Pat Brown. Paul’s Monterrey Inn followed the new law and put in a special door and air-management system to create a cigar bar adjacent to its restaurant. Owner Eric Larson said his business “went down dramatically” after the ban went into effect last June and is now on the upswing again. Both facilities allow smoking of cigars and cigarettes and it will be interesting to see whether cigar smokers patronize these facilities and others like them enough to meet the requirements of the smoking ban law, which requires that 10 percent of the “cigar bar’s” annual revenues or at least $10,000 come from the sale of cigars. Kinky Friedman may try again: Singer, songwriter, gubernatorial candidate and now cigar seller Kinky Friedman (pictured) told the regional news Website Fort Bend Now that he’s considering a second run for the Texas governorship, but this time as a Democrat. Friedman ran as an independent in 2006 and got 12.43 percent of the vote, finishing fourth overall, well behind Republican incumbent Rick Perry and Democrat Chris Bell. He’s had discussions with Democratic activists who encouraged him to consider running with the party in 2010. |
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Did you know?
“A shape designated as "898" usually refers to its packing, in three layers of 8, 9 and 8 cigars.
