My new cigar lounge is on the front page of the newspaper

[Melensdad]

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/photos...goods-on-the-rebound-as-economy-improves.html

My partner at this store is a guy named Juan, he is the 'face' of the store and owns 40%. His job is to bring in the business and he's been doing a great job of it so far. The article features him prominently since he actually knew the author. We had no idea what the angle of the story would be, or when or how it would be published. But we got the FRONT PAGE with a huge color photo!

See the link above for the whole story, but here is a tid bit for you:

Tony Gunia exhaled a long, slow puff of smoke before holding his cigar away from his head and admiring it.

“It’s enjoyment, it’s relaxing,” said Gunia, 53, a computer systems specialist from Lakes of the Four Seasons. “It’s definitely a luxury, it’s just not a necessity, but I work hard and it’s an affordable way for me to unwind.”

Gunia spoke just before reclining on one of the leather couches that make up the 1101 Cigar Lounge, 1101 U.S. 30 in Schererville, a cigar lounge and smoke shop owned by Hammond’s Juan Villarreal and Robert Skurka of Lowell.

The lounge has a walk-in humidor, free coffee and soft drinks, comfortable seating and a large, flat-screen television. The ambience is warm, quiet and relaxing. . .

 

[SShepherd]

awesome press!

 

[muleman]

Cool! Great looking place.Can't beat free advertising like that.

 

[mak2]

Wish I smoked, I would stop by and say Hi. Looks like a nice place.

 

[pirate_girl]

Classy looking joint, Mr. Skurka

 

[Melensdad]

Yup, we are pretty thrilled with the free press. It is one thing to see it on the internet, but the photo they chose to run on the front of the newspaper takes up 25% of the entire front page!!! It is their lead story for today. (must be a really slow newsday)

 

[JackieBlue]

Yup, we are pretty thrilled with the free press. It is one thing to see it on the internet, but the photo they chose to run on the front of the newspaper takes up 25% of the entire front page!!! It is their lead story for today. (must be a really slow newsday)

Cool looking place! I know mostly men smoke cigars, but there are some women that do too. Any women hang out there?

 

[AAUTOFAB1]

very nice,looks comfortable and inviting,relaxed atmosphere,just wish it was closer

 

[Melensdad]

We do have women that come in and smoke, they are pretty rare, but we have a couple semi-regulars who are ladies.

The photos only show part of the lounge area, we have another seating area that is not pictured. And you can't really tell from the photos, but in that lounge area there is a fireplace and a big screen TV. The small secondary lounge area also has its own flat panel TV set too.

 

[AAUTOFAB1]

We do have women that come in and smoke, they are pretty rare, but we have a couple semi-regulars who are ladies.

The photos only show part of the lounge area, we have another seating area that is not pictured. And you can't really tell from the photos, but in that lounge area there is a fireplace and a big screen TV. The small secondary lounge area also has its own flat panel TV set too.

So your sayin you got some smokin hot ladies there

 

[loboloco]

How much did a set up like that run?

 

[joec]

Your partner reminds me of a Columbia drug dealer I dealt with in the day.

All joking aside that is some good press and hope it keeps coming as I love real success stories.

 

[JackieBlue]

I wouldn't mind hanging out in there. Congratulations!

 

[Melensdad]

So your sayin you got some smokin hot ladies there

Uh, we are actually having a "Girls of 1101" calendar made up. Sunday we had a girl who did a Victoria's Secret photo shoot in, she is scheduled to be Miss July.

How much did a set up like that run?

The cigar inventory alone is about $50K. Add another $25K for cigarettes, and another $10K for misc items like pipes, humidors, cutters, lighters, hookhas, etc. The build-out costs were a lot higher than we anticipated, thanks to several roadblocks we encountered along the way. Then we compounded our own problems by installing granite counters, custom wood cabinets and shelving, etc. Total investment is yet to be determined, I'm still supporting it since sales are not yet high enough to cover all expenses.

 

[JackieBlue]

Have you done any cigar rolling classes or anything like that there?

 

[Melensdad]

Have you done any cigar rolling classes or anything like that there?

We have started to have events, but not anything like a rolling "class" because that is really a highly skilled trade. We've had cigar tasting events, etc. We are looking to team up with a local brewery to have some outdoor events under tents. We also have "guitars & cigars" every other Thursday evening where we bring in musicians who play acoustic guitar. Sunday afternoons are 'classic movie' days.

 

[JackieBlue]

We have started to have events, but not anything like a rolling "class" because that is really a highly skilled trade. We've had cigar tasting events, etc. We are looking to team up with a local brewery to have some outdoor events under tents. We also have "guitars & cigars" every other Thursday evening where we bring in musicians who play acoustic guitar. Sunday afternoons are 'classic movie' days.

All great ideas!