Just wondering how your business will do with the new Minn. cigar tax law.

^

Sorry for the delay Ryan. I never would have seen this if another BOTL from another site wouldn't have told me about your PING to me.

I'm not all that concerned about it. Yeah people will piss and moan for the first few weeks and then they'll get over it and keep on smoking. Some might switch to cheaper cigs but I would guess that a very small portion will actually quit.

As far as the 35% on the other tobacco products- Again I don't see it being that big of a problem as people are making it out to be. I might have to lower some of my margins on premiums but most of the customers I have aren't going to stop buying cigars because of a dollar or so increase. I'll probably see a drop in some of the higher priced cigars but since the majority of cigars sold here are in the $4-$6 category anyway and most guys don't buy full boxes I don't see it as that big of an issue.

On another note, most of my clientele has been coming here since the beginning and have remained loyal. Most of them I would consider friends and there is a lot to be said for the staff I have here and the relationship we all have with the customers. They like it when you know almost all of them by name and can have their product(s) on the counter before they even get in the door.

Hope that helps.

Chad, I thought that you were a trainer.

You own a B&M as well- in liberal Minnesota?!

I take my hat off to you if do!

Which b&m is yours? I get to the cities now and then and am always looking for a good cigar shop to peruse.

He runs a Tobacco Grove in Burnsville - near the old RAX restaurant on Hwy. 13. Good selection of smokes.

Interesting....I've been there several times, although I believe it used to have another name....like Crown Tobacco.

I was in there a few monthes ago. Had a lengthy conversation about autism with a crazy looking bald guy. He was very nice but his name was not chad. I usually go to the one in maple grove as it is closer to me. Thanks for the info ryan.

"a crazy looking bald guy"

Was he wearing rather obtuse looking glasses that looked significantly too small for his head?

It was you, wasn't it?

bloody Spaniard wrote: "It was you, wasn't it?"

No, I'm generally described as the elderly fellow with trifocals and a white mustache and goatee.

I did get some new prescription sunglasses today, with beaucoup bling. The frames are tortoise shell and gold. When I used the word "bling", the late 20ish saleswoman almost peed herself. My wife couldn't believe I chose those glasses. My regular specs have transition lenses, so I'll just be wearing the cool new shades while driving.

Steve*R could have been. He had tattoos and rather baggy shorts on. And a rat terrier(I think) with him. I only was there once as I usually go to M grove. A friend of mine is good friends with the two owners. He told me today they were planning a big sale to dump as much inventory as they can before the tax man commeth on Aug 1.

I'd wager that alot of slow sell inventory will be sold at liquidation retails before 8/1 by every retailer. It makes no sense to carry any slow moving inventory and increase one's own cost.

I do look for retailers to be far more selective in what they carry. Inventories will be limited to what is a known seller. It'll be very difficult to break a new line into a MN shop.

Steve*R said: "No, I'm generally described as the elderly fellow with trifocals and a white mustache and goatee."

RESPONSE: Since the Colonel died, you must have the KFC people breaking down your door for endorsements.

Well, hush my puppies, Col. Steve*R. LOL!