Tinder Box absorbed by CI???

[borndead1]

I was checking out www.tinderbox.com the other day and noticed something strange. Gone were a bunch of Tinder Box's house brands, and now they are carrying Cigars International's exclusive brands? Perdomo Slow-Aged 826, Indian Tabac Limited Reserve, Magellan, Pirate's Gold, etc.????? Anybody hear anything about this?

[Poriggity]

Interesting... I am wondering too now...

[Warren]

I'm guessing it's just a distribution deal. There is no mention on CA or Google News. Surely an acquisition would generate some media coverage.

On a releated note, I've noticed most of the Tinder Box retail locations around here have closed or changed their name. The one in Savannah is no longer affiliated. The one in Chattanooga is gone. The one in Kennesaw closed a couple years ago (or more). Etc.

[Acalla]

I heard one of the ones in phoenix is now changing its name to Robusto or something like that. hmmm....

[squeeze left]

I noticed that too - Tinderbox is now carrying CAO Black, which used to be a CI exclusive.

According to the Penn. corporate records office, TINDERBOX.COM is wholly owned by BIG JIM LLC, a Delaware corporation. No free records searches in Delaware, so without paying $10.00, no easy way to tell if CI owns Big Jim. FWIW, CI is also a DE corporation (with principal place of business in PA).

[oceanelect4]

wasnt cigars international bought by general cigar a while back?

[andrewsutherland2002]

Does TinderBox sell 5Vegas too now?

[Snake Hips]

I'm noticing my favorite B&M (not a Tinder Box or anything affiliated) is beginning to put out 5 Vegas items. Not cigars, but first they had some ash trays, now some small humidors, and then a sign...

[ScottishSmoker]

General Cigars did not "buy" CI...they partnered with the parent company of CI...Swedish Match....who is also part of the Meier's and Dutch group...its a little confusing if you ask me

[icantbejon]

Originally Posted by Warren

I'm guessing it's just a distribution deal. There is no mention on CA or Google News. Surely an acquisition would generate some media coverage.

On a releated note, I've noticed most of the Tinder Box retail locations around here have closed or changed their name. The one in Savannah is no longer affiliated. The one in Chattanooga is gone. The one in Kennesaw closed a couple years ago (or more). Etc.

Where do you go in Sav for your cigars? Ye Olde?

[Warren]

Originally Posted by icantbejon

Where do you go in Sav for your cigars? Ye Olde?

I'm not down there as much as I used to be. I was a student at GSU several years ago. But yeah Ye Olde and what used to be the Tinder Box, Savannah Bulldogs now I believe.

[jbo]

Originally Posted by andrewsutherland2002

Does TinderBox sell 5Vegas too now?

My question was going to center around the 5 Vegas as well. I always thought that 5 Vegas was only sold by CI...however on a recent trip to Maine I found the 5 Vegas Cask Strength at a private shop.

[MithShrike]

Originally Posted by Acalla

I heard one of the ones in phoenix is now changing its name to Robusto or something like that. hmmm....

That happened last year. The new shop was in his dad's name. Then the guy attended RTDA with his dad and broke the non-compete clause in his franchise agreement. So the Tinderbox sign went back up on his new store. Yeah...