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Last post 4 years ago by JBluez. 17 replies replies.
WuRona starting to affect premium cigar industry...
clintCigar Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
"Concerns around the looming threat of the COVID-19 Coronavirus are now hitting the premium cigar industry. Over the past few days, a combination of state mandates along with preventive measures is taking its toll on manufacturers, retailers, and events.

Three large premium cigar events have been postponed due to restrictions being imposed on large gatherings and travel restrictions. Probably the most notable postponement has been made by the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) concerning its annual trade show that was scheduled to open March 22nd in Caba San Lucas, Mexico. It’s a trade show attended by nearly 80 of the largest retailers in the United States and a good volume of business is done between manufacturers and that group of retailers. The TAA is looking at rescheduling this, but no dates have been socialized.

Cigars International’s CigarFest, considered by some to be the largest consumer cigar event in the U.S. has been postponed. It’s attended by reported numbers of 6,500. It had been scheduled for May 1 through May 2 in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania. It has now been moved to October 16 and 17th. Cigars International has said the event was put off due to the Coronavirus concerns and Governor Tom Wolf’s recommendation that gatherings of 250 or more be suspended. Cigars International has also said a series of store events scheduled for March has been canceled.

Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke Miami and WhiskeyFest scheduled for April 2-3 has been put on hold. While a formal announcement has not been made, the event’s website says “Due to the continued escalation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak we have decided to reschedule Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest. More details coming soon.” It has also been confirmed that ZT Cigars’ Smokelahoma event scheduled for April 25 in Oklahoma City is being rescheduled.

Cigar tourism is also being impacted. This week, Cigar Dojo announced that Davidoff had canceled its “Camp Camacho” factory tour trip scheduled for its community members in Honduras. While Davidoff has not made a formal announcement, Cigar Dojo reports the decision was made by Oettinger Davidoff AG. Drew Estate has Cigar Safari and Barn Smoker events scheduled for the spring and at press time, there has been no announcement on those trips. Some retailers are canceling trips on their own. Tailored Smoke reported to Cigar Coop it is not going on a trip it had planned to Nicaragua to visit My Father Cigars. According to Tailored Smoke, the decision was made not so much because of what is going on in Nicaragua, but specifically as to what is going on in the states.

Cigars International is not the only retailer canceling retail events. Several retailers have reported to Cigar Coop they have canceled or postponed manufacturer events – due to both preventative measures and state restrictions now being imposed or recommended for events. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending a halt to events with 50 or more people for the next 8 weeks, so that could impact many more cigar events through mid-May.

The retail community is also reporting impacts. Today, Habana Premium Shoppe who operates in the Albany, New York area has announced it is shutting down its two stores until further notice. During that time, the company will use the opportunity to clean and sanitize the stores. Earlier today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had called for voluntary closings of private businesses

At press time, mandatory bar and restaurant closings are being issued for both Ohio and Illinois while California has made a sa similar announcement, ordering the closure of bars, nightclubs, breweries and wineries Several other municipalities are also mandating closings or curfews and could impact retail establishments who operate in those parameters.

Tabacalera USA’s Casa de Montecristo is also taking precautions. This past weekend, CEO Brad Winstead commented, “Following the guidance of public health officials and government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, we are taking a series of precautionary steps including increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures for our stores, lounges and bars with special attention to high traffic areas. We have also prepared our store teams with guidance to respond quickly to any emerging situation. We will continue to focus on prevention and encourage any associate not feeling well to stay at home. Additionally, all US and international travel has been restricted for our field and HQ teams.”

Several retailers have also informed Cigar Coop that it is impacting ordering products from cigar manufacturers. The theme is with looming threats of either reduced foot traffic, or being mandated to close, the retail community is concerned about taking on more inventory at this time.

Cigar Media has felt its impacts as well. In addition to the cancelation of the Cigar Dojo Camp Camacho trip, this past weekend KMA Talk Radio canceled its live show because of the closing of the iHeartRadio studio in West Palm Beach due to concerns around CoronaVirus.

Meanwhile this past weekend, notable events including Underground Cigar Shop’s NFG 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas and JSK Cigars’ Ristefari in Indiana were held. The big elephant in the room is the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) who has its annual Trade Show and Convention scheduled to open on July 10th. At press time PCA has opted to move forward with the Trade Show as planned."


source: https://cigar-coop.com/2020/03/cigar-news-covid-19-coronavirus-begins-to-impact-cigar-industry.html

Brick wall
Sunoverbeach Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
No reported cases from Ristefari, though I'm only on day 2 of incubation so far
clintCigar Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
^we'll be watching you. Shame on you

We may need to create a forum quarantine area.
izonfire Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Sunoverbeach wrote:
No reported cases from Ristefari, though I'm only on day 2 of incubation so far

You've been taking shots of bleach and holding your breath, right???
Sunoverbeach Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Yes sir! Breath has been held for a couple weeks running now
izonfire Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Sunoverbeach wrote:
Yes sir! Breath has been held for a couple weeks running now

Good man -
See? we're gonna get through this!
Dg west deptford Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 05-25-2019
Posts: 2,836
As a remodeling contractor I was scheduled to do a remodel improvement at the lounge today but am now just sitting here smoking as the owners cancelled any major improvements until this shakes out.
On another job that I finished up yesterday I called for final inspections (so I could get paid) and the boro said no inspections will be done until the end of March!!!
Thinking of not getting permits for future jobs as a result???
What's going to happen with CO inspections for home sales?!!
Mrs. dpnewell Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 08-23-2014
Posts: 1,373
^I'm glad I'm done with that NJ nightmare. My business was awnings, patio covers, carports and screenrooms. Dealing with code officials was not fun. Monroe Township was the biggest PITA, as I used to do most of the large carports in the 55+ communities down there. It would take 3 to 4 weeks to get zoning and building permits, including 3 trips to the township office. I remember one job where markouts indicated a gas line running a foot away from the driveway. I called the code official, and told him I couldn't put in footings due to the gas line, and that I had engineering that would allow me to put my posts on the edge of the driveway, if I used extra posts. He said he would check it out. He calls me a couple days later and says he is at the job site and wanted to know what the yellow paint lines along the driveway meant. He's the code official and he didn't even know what utility markouts where.

In NC I had to get a permit for my new well. I go into the county office and ask for a zoning and permit application. The clerk asks for my address. She pulls the plot plan and asks me where the new well is going. I show her, and she says "one minute". A couple minutes later, she comes out of the back and hands me the completed permit. No filling out applications, and walking out of the office 5 minutes later with permit in hand. I was shocked.

I recently asked the county about what I needed for an out building/shop. They said that if both the width and length was under 16' no permits where required. I asked if it was over 16' would I need drawings or enginerring. They told me that if I was doing the work myself, neither would be required. Again, in total shock.

David
Dg west deptford Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 05-25-2019
Posts: 2,836
NC is where I have wanted to move to for years, than Murphy became governor and I really want out! But with aging parents I would need to bring them if I want out so I'm stuck for now in this socialist nightmare of a state. At least it's not Cali.
clintCigar Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
Major Dominican Cigar Factories Suspend Operations due to Coronavirus Threat

https://cigar-coop.com/2020/03/cigar-news-major-dominican-cigar-factories-suspend-operations-due-to-coronavirus-threat.html
Dg west deptford Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 05-25-2019
Posts: 2,836
Stained the old humidor case to match the new ones at the local yesterday then about an hour into the poker game after lounging in the lounge most of the day afterward got a text from the wife saying 2 of my daughters roommates tested positive for the Wu-rona. She's been home since Monday and we're all fine so far. The two girls are really sick. so I let everyone know that they all need to self quarantine for 14 days. We all debated just taking up residence at the lounge but alas home doing yard work.
clintCigar Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
Hope y'all don't get it.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
clintCigar wrote:
Major Dominican Cigar Factories Suspend Operations due to Coronavirus Threat

https://cigar-coop.com/2020/03/cigar-news-major-dominican-cigar-factories-suspend-operations-due-to-coronavirus-threat.html

I suspect Nicaraguan and Honduran factories will follow suit.

This is the time you want a very large collection already in your house.
.
clintCigar Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
Pudding Mittens wrote:
This is the time you want a very large collection already in your house.

I would be frowned upon if my cigars were toilet paper. Anxious
Sunoverbeach Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Pudding Mittens wrote:
I suspect Nicaraguan and Honduran factories will follow suit.

This is the time you want a very large collection already in your house.
.

I actually read a couple days back that Honduras was shutting them down. Government mandated a 7-day suspension of non-essential businesses. Though I doubt they'll just stick to 7 days.
clintCigar Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
^yup

Honduras Shuts Down Non Essential National Business; Halts Cigar Production

https://cigar-coop.com/2020/03/cigar-news-honduras-shuts-down-non-essential-national-business-halts-cigar-production.html
JBluez Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 02-12-2019
Posts: 7
With everything going on here in the USA, I never even thought about cigar factories closing down due to Corona. Thanks for the information, appreciate it. Stay healthy everyone
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