July has been quite a month at the shop! On the 1st. cigarettes increased $1.60 per pack. Currently at Virgil, because we enjoy no discount from our distributors a pack of name brand smokes sells for $10.50. As of August 1st.the state excise tax on tobacco will increase from 46% to a whopping 75% of the wholesale price. Many smoke shops such as ourselves have chosen to invest a sizable sum of money on inventory pre increase to provide a small buffer to our clientele. This is a double edge sword and a ripe opportunity for some unscrupulous retailers to take advantage of a bad situation and make it worse. If on Sunday Aug.1st. all the prices at your favorite shop are reflective of the new tax increase, that retailer is making an extra 29% on every cigar he sells from inventory he purchased before the increase! Some retailers will defend this abusive policy by saying that the tax increase will hurt them most and any profit they can make is fair. Or they just don't care what they do to their customers in exchange for the almighty dollar! Which makes them no better than our elected trash! We will continue to hold prices at there current level until the time comes and we are forced to purchase at the new rate. Then and only then will we pass along the tax increase. Not only do we believe that this is the right thing to do, but good business! Our customers deserve the best service,selection and fair pricing!
July is Italian Festival month and the month we hold the Rick Manzoni Golf Classic. Each event has become a must do for many of our customers. The Italian Festival enjoyed 4 beautiful sunny days and the crowds were large. People got to enjoy food, entertainment and a cigar in our air-conditioned smokers lounge. The lounge at Virgil is a yearly tradition for so many that visit the festival . This years Golf Classic was the best to date! Fourteen foursomes competed for the coveted Virgil Cup! This years winners were Team Costell at 8 under. Congratulations guys for coming out and kicking the shit out of the rest of us! Golfers enjoyed a day complete with breakfast, lunch,dinner,cigars,prizes,and great fun! Thanks to everyone that came out in support of our Tournament! Also thanks to the nice people at Arrowhead Golf course for hosting our 4th. year. Great job!
Cigars are still turning up although the tax increase in NY makes bringing in new product more difficult.We have decided not to attend the national trade show in New Orleans in Aug.When will these people understand that New Orleans is no place to be in Aug! Talk in the industry is that this will be a poorly attended show with little participation from NY retailers. Available this month is the new house bundle from JC Newman Nat&Maduro in several sizes starting at $4.05 for a robusto. Oliva Cigars has introduced a new blend in the Nnb line.In addition to the Conneticut,Camaroon&Hhabano wrappers, they now feature a Cain line. Same shapes only and new blend.at fair prices. July was the breakout month for the new Rocky Patel Fifteenth Anniversary cigar . These cigars are limited and are also pre-tax increase so stop in and see what they are all about. Enter to win a nice Callaway,Macanudo golf bag all this Aug. Purchase any General Cigar product and recieve a chance to win the golf bag. A winner will be selected on Sept. 1st. Stop in and maybe you will be hauling your sticks around in a custom Macanudo Bag! Continue to look here for up-coming events and information. Also on the web site. It's been one hell of a summer and we think that we will continue to grow and enjoy being WNY and S, Ontario's Tobacconist of choice.
