What is it that makes this place different from the multitude of smoke shops around the country? Before I opened my business in 2005, my wife and I visited over 80 different shops in Texas and Hawaii and made a list of what we liked and what we didn’t like. I then proceeded to expand on all the things that we liked.
My shop is a non-smoking shop. This allows my customers to actually smell the pipe tobacco blend or cigar before they buy. Wives and girlfriends can shop here without feeling that they have to go home and wash their hair and change clothes. And possibly the most important reason; I can go home at the end of the day and not be greeted with complaints about the way that I smell. My customers have learned that I have the biggest smoking room in the state of Texas just outside my door..
I brought an old concept with me from years of outside customer sales. Rule #1; the customer is always right. Rule #2; when the customer is glaringly wrong, re-read Rule #1. Customer service is one of my highest priorities and one of the best ways of guaranteeing that is to be completely honest and to treat each customer with total respect. People exploring the relaxing world of cigar and pipe smoking should have the widest realm of selection to choose from. I am constantly researching new boutique companies and bringing their products to my customers. If any product is not well received it is eliminated. I can honestly say that there is not a bad cigar in my shop.
Especially in today’s economy, it is important to get the very most from every dollar that you spend. The large, fancy smoke shops with high visibility locations, big screen TVs and large staffs have to pay for all of these things, which means you have to pay for all these things. I have a small, low rent location with a staff of one. I promise some of the freshest tobacco products at some of the best prices you will find anywhere.
Anything worth doing is worth doing right. The sale does not end with the exchange of money. One of the things that I discovered when I got into this industry is that very few people either know or will explain to others how to best fully enjoy the art of smoking. As a tobacconist, it is my job to help others fully enjoy the products that they buy. I truly love what I do and I hope it shows.
