Well August started out with the highest excise tax increase in the history of the state of New York. Cigar smokers have been victimized needlessly as a means to address state budget issues that have nothing to do with the enjoyment of Tobacco. Very little has changed at the shop, guys are still buying their favorites while searching for new product of good quality at a good price! The National convention for our industry was held in New Orleans this year to the great dismay of many of our retailers. Attendance was at an all time low for this years event. New york State retailers were poorly represented due to the new excise increase and poor economic conditions in the state and across the country. Many of the manufacturers sent sales reps home early due to the lack of customers. Few new products were released at this years show. Major players chose to concentrate on making sure they were well represented in their retailers humidors with their top of the line products. Several smaller and new vendors continue to test the market place and bring new or less popular cigars to the market. 2010 will be a pivotal year for everyone involved in our industry. Business going forward will be like navigating in new uncharted waters. There has been some talk about repealing the excise increase and the new costs associated with license fees. So far nothing has changed our license to sell Tobacco in NYS rose from $100. to $1000. last year. Seems that our plan to invest a large amount of money in inventory pre tax has proved to be a business windfall for Virgil Ave. Customers constantly tell us of the cost of goods at some of our competitors stores. We smile and tell them that we continue to be the leader in selection,service and price in WNY. and S Ontario. Virgil Ave Tobacconist will continued to evolve and grow with the the help of our loyal customers and love for premium Tobacco products.
Not much new stuff this month. JC Newman released a new line extension in the Quorum line. The original blend has been joined by a Conn.blend. Sold out first shipment in a week! Great price point. A huge hit for the Fuente Newman boys! New shape in the very popular Brickhouse line is not surprisingly a 60 ring......
New product from Don Pepin/ My Father's Cigar are here and selling well. 3 packs and buy 3/1 specials from Macanudo, Hoyo d' Monterry and Oliva are great for golf or the game.. Which brings me to sports....
College Football Saturday's, Tailgate NFL Sunday's, Monday Night Football, Buffalo Sabre's Hockey, Yankee Baseball and all the Fantasy football smack you can talk! In our smoke friendly customer lounge. The is never a charge for customer service at Virgil. Come on in and enjoy a game our place! The Fantasy guys held their draft. Chaos, with a few showing up late and controversy as usual. What a season this will be!!! There is talk that the commissioner will retire after this season? Cool stuff in Oct. Master cigar roller in house doing his thing and a letting you roll your own cigars! This is a great event for people interested in having a cigar roller for a wedding, party ,or special event! Food, drinks, specials, all on Virgil Ave and La Gloria Cubana Cigars. The fall event schedule is shaping up and new updates will be coming for the web site throughout the holidays.
