Thinking of opening a B+M or 2

[jeepthing]

Good luck. Most things already mentioned but good selection of smokes,pipes,Humidors,tobacco's and other accessories and price. A comfortable lounge, my local B&M has a great lounge but must be a member(hate that,won't do it)

[zackly]

1. comfortable area to sit & smoke with others
2. TV & newspapers
3. sell cigarettes to boost traffic including exotic ones
4. get a Keurig & offer fresh coffee. if you don't want to give it away they make vending machines for the pods.
5. evening cigar events
6. my biggest pet peeve is overhumidified cigars, like most B&M's sell. I love my local B&M but cannot smoke his cigars off the shelf. He runs his humi @ 73% R/H. I've taken to bringing in my own to smoke & storing the new purchases in my humidor.
7. Booze & hotties are always good!

Good luck, I wish I lived nearby.

[ongreystreet]

Pros:
No member lounges, just lounges.
Membership lockers, discounts, events.
TV
Drinks, even if it's just sodas, water, and coffee.
Good hours

Cons:
Over humidified cigars
Uneducated staff (they don't have to know everything about cigars, but they can't be 7-11 clerks either)

[arodgers]

My main complaint is service. I went into the closest B&M to me once, 3 years ago, and have never been back. They basically stared at me and didn't offer any help. I'm cool with looking around on my own, and typically decline help, but don't stare at me like I'm going to steal something just because I'm young. I'll drive the 45 minutes to the next closest store now for the better service.

[commonsenseman]

Originally Posted by arodgers

My main complaint is service. I went into the closest B&M to me once, 3 years ago, and have never been back. They basically stared at me and didn't offer any help. I'm cool with looking around on my own, and typically decline help, but don't stare at me like I'm going to steal something just because I'm young. I'll drive the 45 minutes to the next closest store now for the better service.

+1

This is what it's all about for me. I'm willing to pay extra at a shop if they don't look at me like I'm an idiot. I feel like most people that work at B&M's think I'm dumb just cause I'm young.

Also a couple other people mentioned over-humidified cigars, this is a huge deal, because if your cigars smoke & taste like crap, people are not gonna come back. Most of the issues I have are from cigars I get from a B&M & don't rest long enough. Some people may not know the difference, but those that do are the customers that will most likely be coming back.

Third, atmosphere is very important. Basically, just be sure it's a welcoming place with tv's, coffee, water, comfy couches, etc.

[CPJim]

I go to a B&M for their selection. I stay if they have a nice lounge place to smoke. I come back if the customer service is good. If I want you to just ring up my cigars and then say have a nice day, I can buy them cheaper online for the same experience. Get to know the clientele and they will come back to spend more money!

[fuente~fuente]

Friendly staff

Good selection

Competetive prices

Good scenery

Good cozy lounge (Honestly... 2 lounges if possible. 1 for anyone, & 1 for members. I know alot of people have said that they don't like them, but you will have "regulars" who will join, get a locker, & like having a private lounge. They're are ALOT of goobers who will come in & run off your good normal customers. I've seen this happen @ my own B&M. If you have one that's private, you can at least keep out some wierdos. I know I may sound snobby by saying this, but sadly it's true... You have to try to please everybody, & that's a hard thing to do, but 2 lounges at least helps a little to please everybody.)

Good smoke eaters (This is overlooked alot. I hate smelling like an ashtray when I leave a B&M with bad smoke eaters & ventilation.)



Good luck!!! I hope everyone's input will help you with your new business venture!!!

[tmoney2007]

I wouldn't worry about competing with online retailers in your B&M. It is a whole different game and you can't really win. Your overhead will be much higher than theirs considering what you will be paying in rent (high traffic area = expensive, online can run out of a warehouse that is out of the way) and build out. Just sell at MSRP if you can.

I don't think that a B&M is really competing with online retailers. Online buyers smoke at home or somewhere else, but not in a shop. B&M customers are looking for more than just a smoke so they are willing to pay more per stick, I know I am.

There is probably going to be a good number of accounts that you won't be able to get when you first open, many new shops will buy from other retailers and resell until they get up and running. If you aren't in direct competition with them, they may even give you a little discount to help you out.

Its hard for me to give really good advice for a new shop... the B&M I go to started during the cigar boom of the 90s and survived to now, so they are well established.

[Puffin Fresh]

Originally Posted by Hawnted

Most of the B&Ms I have around me (7 of them) have pretty close to the same selection in cigars. I am new to cigar smoking so I am still experimenting with tons of different sizes, brands etc. What sets them apart to me? Well, part of it is My OTHER hobby, which is beer. Few things better than a good beer.

• 3 of the 7 B&Ms automatically get taken out of my rotation because their beer selection sucks
• So that leaves 4 others. 1 of those has a member only lounge (I agree terrible idea)
• And 1 has a very small lounge with no TV
• So that leaves the other 2. I frequent both of these. One is near work, the other home. I go there to relax, have a cigar, talk to experienced smokers that can help me with selection, and watch football. All the things I love.

Where do you live that allows B&M's to sell beer?

[Trev]

I'm pretty new to cigars, so friendly service and a good knowledge base is huge for me; more important than a huge selection. Also, I'm not sure what it's like in your area but the B&M I've been visiting has a parking problem, and sometimes I don't even stop because there's nowhere to park, so I move on to the next place. Some nice music would be cool-- you know, soft jass, classical or something equally relaxing. Love the idea of coffee, good beer selection, comfy lounge with good ventilation and a big-screen with the game on.
Turn-offs are rude staff and over-priced stock.

Good luck with your venture, I hope you make a go of it!

[Arnie]

There are three stores close to me.
The first is reasonably priced, has a small humidor with a good, not great, selection and their staff, while friendly, has no knowledge of cigars. I go there seldom because they just don't have the expertise they should.
The second is really close to my house and they have a beautiful store. Their humidor is average size, actually much smaller than their lounge, and it is filled with all the best. Too much high end and not enough "regular" cigars. They are nice people but a little on the stuffy side.
The third, my favorite, is filled with all kinds of smokes, high end to low ball, has a tiny smoking area, but the man running the shop will talk for hours about cigars, pipe tobacco, pipes, lighters, you name it. He knows his stuff and is friendly. They have pipes and a good selection of pipe tobacco.

I assume you know all you need to know about the business world, but one piece of advice: make absolutely sure you are NOT under-capitalized. I am in the restaurant business, and I see this all the time; someone opens up, knows all about the food, but they spend all their start-up capital getting open and then 6 months down the road they are history. It's sad. There is a restaurant space close to us that has had three different restaurants in 4 years and the current incarnation is not long for the world. Make sure you are not depending on any income for half a year or so.

Good luck!!

[asmartbull]

Thanks for all the advise,,it is all right in line with what I like.
We are working on the business plan and finding that real estate is readily available. I like the 2 lounge idea , and lockers are in the plan if room permits.
Regardless it/they will have a covered outdoor patio with wide-screen.

Also thinking of hosting bachelor parties,,,so a removable "pole" is a must

Any other suggestions are appreciated

Alan

[themoneycollector]

I would drive around town if the selection was good and had a comfy lounge that I could smoke in.

Friendly employees are a must, they don't necessarily have to be cigar experts, but know the stuff that they carry. I hate it when I ask for a brand and they have no clue about what's in their own humidors.

[Slaterstogies]

around here i have no b&m's that i like they all over humidify and have occasional mold, not to mention they dont know what they are talking about. I wish that i had somewhere out here that i can just go to with some friends pick up a smoke and then sit down there and watch some sports

[eljimmy]

If you need help with a logo I can help.