Kelly Kolod is the granddaughter of the founder of Cousin's Cigar in Woodmere.
She represents the third generation in this family owned business, which has become increasingly popular. Cigar aficionados take their smoking very seriously and they like to shop at stores that take cigars very seriously.
The Woodmere location is one of five stores in Ohio and a new store has just opened in Florida.
On Thursday evening of last week, Cousin's Cigar sponsored its 15th annual event entitled The Cleveland Smoke at Landerhaven.
It was a rousing success as dinner and cigar smoking took place under the stars.
Cigars with brand names such as Macanudo, Camacho, C.A.O, Arturo Fuente, Partagas, Davidoff, Perdomo, Romeo y Julieta were among the choices enjoyed by the attendees.
At the store -- inside beautiful display cases that are kept impeccably clean -- more than 100 brands of cigars are available for purchase. The cigars are manufactured mainly in three countries: The Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras.
Everything a cigar smoker could desire is sold here, including humidors in all sizes. They range in price from $45 to thousands of dollars.
There are ashtrays, cigar cases, pipes, pipe holders, tobacco, cigar cutters, and lighters that are basic in design or encrusted with diamonds. Those who know cigar smokers might just find the perfect gift in this store.
It is a state law that a consumer has to be 18 years of age to purchase any form of tobacco products.
Kolod told me that younger men are buying pipes, which she said represented a new trend. The first Cousin's Cigar was opened in 1951 by Sid Kolod, who was both a pipe smoker and a cigar smoker. Sid lived to be 93.
The store at 28400 Chagrin Blvd. is quite spacious.
While I was there three men sat in oversized leather chairs while smoking cigars, sharing conversation and, watching the news in the store's lounge area. There is a glass-enclosed area where lockers can be rented to keep personal items.
I imagine this is the answer for all those people who like cigars, but find there aren't too many places that are user friendly to cigar smokers.
I viewed a cigar that cost $45, and, for a cigar connoisseur, that is probably comparable to someone like me who values a fine bottle of wine. There are a variety of choices for a variety of tastes.
Cigars can cost anywhere from $3 to $60.
Unique to current business Strategies, this company doesn't have a Web site. That reality just might prove that a cigar smoker doesn't need the Internet in order to find a good smoke.
WHAT'S THE SCOOP? Cousin's Cigar sells empty cigar boxes starting at $3. I was quite taken with the many shapes and sizes that were available. Apparently these are often recycled into useful items like purses and decorative containers for tabletops. Cousin's Cigar can be reached by calling (216) 464-9396.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Source: The Plain Dealer
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