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Last post 21 years ago by Cigarick. 22 replies replies.
New Cigar Club/shop opening in Lake Forest,Ca
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jjohnson28 Offline
#1 Posted: Wed, Dec 11 2002, 1:31 PM EST
Joined: 09-12-2000
Posts: 7,914
So Cal,

Grand opening,Club Aficionado/cigars and wine.Dec 13,14 and 15th.From about 6:00-10:00 PM. According to the owner (Shawn) the 14th is the day to be there. I first spotted this place a couple of months ago while under construction.I stopped in about a week ago on a whim and so far I like it they've only been open about two weeks.

Very!!! nice shop,decent prices for Ca,I paid $13 for a VSG spellbound.The smoking room is really nice,has a bar and a big screen TV.Unfortunetly he has decided on a private club format with a $600 a year membership fee (yikes) or $10 cover charge per visit.Currently it's beer and wine,hopefully he'll have a full bar in the next week or so.You can by a bottle of wine from the shop though and drink it in the club.

Anyway I'll be there on the 14th for the grand opening,hope some more of you So Cal CBer's will be there too.

On another note,is it just me or do any of you other guys think these guys are going about it the wrong way? I mean $50 a month for a place to hang is a bit steep to me.I'd probably join in a heartbeat if it was more like $200-250.I realize the cover is to keep out the general riff raff but it would make more sense to me to have the most possible membership I could get coming into my store and make it up on cigars and booze.Hell I don't know? But I also didn't have to put up a 1/2 million investment to find out...LOL

BTW as far as I know the Grand opening is free and a Fuente rep will be in attendance.

Later,JJ

23825 El Toro Rd,Lake Forest,Ca

949-829-8474

Just off the 5 fwy at El Toro,next to Staples in the mini mall.
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#2 Posted: Wed, Dec 11 2002, 1:40 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
i give him 6 months before he is out of business.
Mr.Mean Offline
#3 Posted: Wed, Dec 11 2002, 1:40 PM EST
Joined: 05-16-2001
Posts: 3,025
does he have a liquor license? If not, that's probably the reason.
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#4 Posted: Wed, Dec 11 2002, 1:51 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
to finish my thought, mr mean interupted my on two posts. i don't know how you can do that on line.

why would anyone spend $10.00 to go in a store to buy merchandise. i could perhaps understand it in the midwest where it is freezing and guys mommies (wives) won't let them smoke in their own homes. a nice room, a fireplace, guys to shoot the **** with. but in california?

there is a great cigar store in van nuys that has some tables and chairs and customers sit around and bs. if the owner charged 50 cents to sit around they would think he was nuts.

i just hate stupid business men.
eze Offline
#5 Posted: Wed, Dec 11 2002, 2:04 PM EST
Joined: 09-04-2002
Posts: 1,748
How much to use the crapper?
jjohnson28 Offline
#6 Posted: Wed, Dec 11 2002, 2:25 PM EST
Joined: 09-12-2000
Posts: 7,914
Yeah,like I said I don't get it.There is another one in Orange that started up not long ago and I don't know of many members there either.To bad too,seems like a nice enough guy?


FWIW he dosen't charge to shop in the store,only to use the club and get this,one of his biggest selling points to me was you also get to use the room privately for 3 hrs a year to entertain,birthday or whatever.He say that right there should be worth $600.LOL I don't think so,I'll spend the $600 on food and booze and have it in my backyard!
gerber Offline
#7 Posted: Wed, Dec 11 2002, 2:45 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 783
I think he's got a losing proposition there. Although the height of the cigar boom could support these kind of places, I just don't see it now. Maybe it's just me, but I've always kind of hated the elitist undertoe to the hefty fee for just being allowed to be a part of the group. My favorite cigar store was in San Marino, CA where a bunch of us would just show up whenever. Most wouldn't have been there if there was an entry fee. I see it spoiling true camraderie and creating a country club atmosphere. But again, those are just my preferences showing.
E-Chick Offline
#8 Posted: Thu, Dec 12 2002, 11:24 AM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
JJ, Hemingway's is a bit of a drive for you, but dude, no cover, no fees, no bs...only great people, fine wines and premium beers. AND lots of diverse food places within walking distance.

The prices may be steep, but it's worth it considering your scenario at that new place...

Won't be long in business with prices like that.

Also, Hemi's is getting a cigar roller next month on a regular basis!!! Bruce showed me all of the wrappers, binders, and fillers that he got in 2 weeks ago...

He's having a SuperBowl chili potluck of sorts...gonna be a blast!!!!

Come see us sometime!
jjohnson28 Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, Dec 12 2002, 11:40 AM EST
Joined: 09-12-2000
Posts: 7,914
E there is a Herf brewing down there on another board for some time after New Years.I believe X is going to be on board (this time? LOL) and a few of us from OC that you met last time will be driving down.Looks like Dicks again and then possibly Hemmingways.

I'll keep you posted. JJ
E-Chick Offline
#10 Posted: Thu, Dec 12 2002, 12:55 PM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
Thanks! But ******'s is so gross! Why not somewhere else?

osage Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, Dec 12 2002, 5:34 PM EST
Joined: 02-18-2001
Posts: 492
The Tobacco Pouch in Tulsa has free beer and soft drinks on tap! Every Saturday, a group gets together to watch the sport du jour on their 52" TV. Twice a year we have a chili cookoff. After the RTDA show they invited a few of the "regulars" in for a free cigar tasting. If you are ever in Tulsa, it is well worth the time to go by and have a smoke. Their selection is quite nice and they are continually adding new brands.
rookie139 Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, Dec 12 2002, 6:15 PM EST
Joined: 03-02-2000
Posts: 2,149
Whatchaexpect?...It's Kalifornia for chrissake!
kaikai1102 Offline
#13 Posted: Fri, Jan 3 2003, 9:59 PM EST
Joined: 12-05-2002
Posts: 153
E-chick:
Where exactly is Hemingways in San Diego and will they be doing anything special for the SuperBowl?
kaikai1102 Offline
#14 Posted: Fri, Jan 3 2003, 10:01 PM EST
Joined: 12-05-2002
Posts: 153
besides the chili potluck...
E-Chick Offline
#15 Posted: Sat, Jan 4 2003, 10:31 AM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
kaikai1102...

hey there...Bruce is also having a cigar roller onsite...I think that (if he hasn't started it already), it begins on SBS along with the potluck.

BTW, I noticed that you are also in SD from an earlier post...where?

I'm gonna find the address and post it in a minute for you...BRB
E-Chick Offline
#16 Posted: Sat, Jan 4 2003, 10:33 AM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
Hemingway's Fine Wine & Cigar Bar in Old Town San Diego, California...

2470 San Diego Ave.

If you go, look for Bruce. He's the owner and friend of mine...
E-Chick Offline
#17 Posted: Sat, Jan 4 2003, 10:45 AM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
Their link...since they don't yet compete with CBID...is:

http://www.hemingwaysfinecigars.com/home.html

It's a great lolcal place. When you go to their site, let the pics load on the home page. You'll see different views...
kaikai1102 Offline
#18 Posted: Sat, Jan 4 2003, 9:26 PM EST
Joined: 12-05-2002
Posts: 153
Thanks for the info e-chick...
justforfun Offline
#19 Posted: Sun, Jan 5 2003, 9:23 AM EST
Joined: 03-06-2002
Posts: 797
So Rookie, where do you live??
kaikai1102 Offline
#20 Posted: Sun, Jan 5 2003, 6:27 PM EST
Joined: 12-05-2002
Posts: 153
This humble rookie resides in beautiful Point Loma. Hemingways is tucked away in it's own lil corner of Old Town, eh? Too bad they don't serve yard longs like O' hungrys down the street...
Slimboli Offline
#21 Posted: Mon, Jan 6 2003, 3:46 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
kaikai1102 --- is there a Point Loma in Illinois?
Slimboli Offline
#22 Posted: Mon, Jan 6 2003, 3:49 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Oh, never mind ... LOL ... I reread your post, and then realized that you were referring to yourself, not Rookie139.
Cigarick Offline
#23 Posted: Tue, Jan 7 2003, 10:13 AM EST
Joined: 07-28-2002
Posts: 3,078
Two other cool places to visit in OC are Kelly's Men's Shop in Tusin, and Teri Cigars in Santa Ana.

Teri's rolls their own on the premises. You're welcome to sit and smoke one (there was a cop herfing in there last time I went), but that's it as far as the amenities. They're only open during daylight hours (9-noon on Saturday), and when you see the neighborhood, you'll understand why. Cigars are around $3 each, rolled a little on the loose side, but they have an interesting character.

Kelly's is great. Huge selection from expensive premium cigars to cheap but tastey "never heard of these before," and a very nice patio out back. Listen to music, play a game of chess, smoke, or just enjoy the sun, plants, and fountain, but BYOB. Everybody's real friendly, and there's always at least a few folks sitting out there.
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