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February, 2001 |
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Smoker's Shoppe Doubles Size
Dallas, TX - The Smoker's Shoppe, downtown Dallas' oldest independent tobacco store established in 1960, has completed a major expansion and renovation. By incorporating space located adjacent to the store, The Smoker's Shoppe has doubled in size. The smoking lounge located at the front of the store has been enlarged, allowing more room for cigar tastings and open houses. "The lounge is an important part of our business," notes Jeff Smith, owner of The Smoker's Shoppe. "Having it at the front of the store is a great traffic builder." The retailer has also increased its selection of cigars and pipe tobaccos, and create a large "yet relaxed atmosphere" for its clients - largely business people and conventioneers.
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McCranie's Adds Second Shop
Charlotte, NC - After more than two decades of operating a single store in Charlotte, N.C., McCranie's Pipe and Tobacco Shop will soon add a second location. The new store will occupy 1,184 square feet at the Shops on the Green plaza in Cornelius, N.C. Co-owners Trent McCranie and his brother, Todd, are upfitting the space themselves, and say it will be a reproduction of the existing 1,400-square-foot McCranie's, which opened in 1984. "We're not starting a satellite store," McCranie says, noting that all of the features of the original store will be incorporated at the new location, including lounge areas for customers to smoke a pipe, cigar, or cigarette among fellow enthusiasts. Tom McCranie founded the store in 1979. His sons took over the business when he retired. "Dad instilled in us from the beginning that this is a comfortable place," McCranie says. "We have more than just customer-merchant relationships. A lot of friendships developed here at McCranie's." The brothers produce a catalog and take orders at their Web site. "That business has grown slowly," McCranie says. "Because we are such a specialty store, especially in high-grade pipes, we've built a little niche market." Mail order has grown to about 20% of revenue, he says.
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Two New York Shops Close
New York, NY - Mom's Cigars, a fixture on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue since the early 1920s, closed in January. Mark Goldman, whose family has owned the retail business for over 40 years, said the building's owner decided not to renew the store's lease when it expired December 31, 2000. Goldman, president of the six-location Mom's chain and House of Oxford Distributors, said a search for a new Manhattan sight is underway.
Another longtime Manhattan retailer and wholesaler, Famous Smokeshop, relocated to new offices and warehouse in Easton, Penn. in October, closing its 39th Street retail store.
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Edwards Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Edward's Pipe & Tobacco, owned by Franklin & Geri Smith, celebrated its 40th Anniversary at the Cuban Club in Historic Ybor City. The 40th Anniversary Celebration - called "Cheers and Charity" - drew 204 people, who were soothed by local jazz vocalist and celebrity Belinda Womack. A proclamation by the Tampa City Council honored Edward's Pipe & Tobacco and the Smith Family for their leadership and support of the Tampa Bay Community for 40 years.
Following dinner, a charity auction was held benefiting the local Suncoast Chapter of the Leukemia Society that raised $17,690. Prized boxes of cigars, cigar humidors, computers, golf outings, and vacations were among the items auctioned. The Edward's location in Tampa, started by Frank & Geri Smith, was the first of the national franchise of stores. The distribution center in Carrollwood is still family owned and operated, serving over 3,000 customers world wide including 18 Edward's franchises, convenience stores, and smoke shops.
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Davidoff Closes Beverly Hills Store
Beverly Hills, CA - Citing market conditions, smoking and taxation restrictions in California, and a "responsibility for future growth in the business," Davidoff of Geneva, Inc., said it is closing its Beverly Hills, Calif. store on March 8. "Our goal with this move is to focus our energy in other key markets where we see greater potential and more a consumer-friendly environment," said Stephen Silvestri, marketing director. "Davidoff is as strong now as it ever was." The two-story, 2,400-sq.-ft. boutique opened on North Rodeo Drive in 1991 and featured a private club upstairs called the Keep, which was renovated in 1996. Liquidation of the store's inventory began on February 15. Davidoff has three other domestic stores, in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and New York.
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SMOKESHOP - February, 2001
