April is dominated by plans surrounding "Cigars for Charity". This years event featured an exceptional line-up of big name cigars! Guests and industry sales reps. enjoyed an evening filled with food ,beverage and unlimited cigar smoking. The vibe was great! Our friend Jim Battell was on hand from Southern Wine & Spirits sampling vintage rums. We had our most successful silent auction, with guests bidding on great accessories and cigars.
While WNY. was well represented guests traveled in from Southern Ontario, Toronto,Syracuse, and Pennsylvania, making "Cigars for Charity" a major regional event! The staff at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel did an amazing job keeping everyone well watered and fed. Volunteers from this years host charity,WNY. Friends of the Night, helped man the door and pass out premium cigars.
Thanks to everyone for making 2010 "Cigars for Charity" a huge success! If you missed this event you can check it out @ Virgilave .com.
Every year we sit down with some of our guests, vendors and hotel staff to review, and see how we can improve. While more free cigars is a logical request, consolidation,taxation,poor economy and far less marketing dollars are all contributors to less sticks. The value of the cigars received far exceeded the cost of this event. Logistics at the Casino continue to be a problem. Guests found themselves walking around aimlessly trying to find how/where they needed to go. This is a recurring problem. The Casino prides it self on service and security, however there is poor communication between depts. Operations was still setting up the show floor as vendors tried to set up, We waited 40 minuets just to find someone to help us with the load in. We have been offered another location in the Casino assuring us that this will correct the problem. I'll keep you posted.
As far as food goes, being our third year we asked the Casino to change up the menu a bit. Reviews were mixed as to better or not. I'll keep you posted....
No new cigars this month but plenty of new shapes and sizes. Alex Bradly now offers its "Family Blend" line in 5 sizes from a classic 50x7 churchill to a fat 58x 41/2, all well under $9.00. From Oliva the new up-flavored Cain series continues to sell well with the "F" generating a good buzz from the Virgil regulars. On the budget side, Vega Fina & Casa de Garcia from Altadis are doing well in the $3.-$6. range.
In sports April has been dominated by the NHL playoffs, with the Sabre's falling in the first round to Boston.
The lounge has been packed night after night with people enjoying the games The Yankee faithful have had plenty to cheer about early in the season. April also saw the return of Tiger Woods to the PGA at the Masters. Though he didn't play well it was great to see him back playing golf. The regulars are also pumped about golf season. Many of the local courses opened early due to record breaking spring weather. Virgil Ave will be hosting our annual Rick Manzoni Memorial Golf Classic. Players get to compete for the coveted "Virgil Cup"
Join us Wednesday July 21st. at Arrowhead Golf course for a great day of golf , food, cigars, and good friends!
This is a classic Virgil event, breakfast,lunch,dinner,golf,carts,cigars,prizes,and the presentation of the Vigril Cup to this years winners! All just $80.00 don't miss it!
Virgil will continue to host samplings and functions throughout the summer. Join us in the lounge or on the patio for WNY's best smoke shop experience. When in North Buffalo check out some of the other fine shops and restaurants on Hertel. See you soon Where the city smokes!
Bob
