Cigar Newbie

In addition to a review of their cigars, I figured I’d do a review of the store. One day, when I retire, I’d like to run a store like Cross Street Tobacco. It’s a place where you can easily go in, pick out a nice cigar and sit and enjoy. It’s very down home and friendly atmosphere, even for someone from out of town on their first visit to Baltimore. I was made to feel welcomed and they have an excellent selection of cigars. The chairs are the kind that you never want to get out of and you have an ok selection of things to drink with your cigar (water, pop, coffee and beer were all available at a low cost).

One of the things I liked about Cross Street is the fact that they discuss not only whatever topics are hot in the world today but also the finer points of tobacco and what makes a good cigar. If the topic doesn’t interest you, certainly you can watch whatever is up on the big screen. They have their own brand label, which at first I thought was something they rolled on their own (at $4 per stick) but found out it was made for them by Olivia. It was still a nice cigar at the price and I very much enjoyed the Robusto Cameroon I had this evening.

The selection of cigars is quite nice and varied. They even have a nice selection of pipes and pipe accessories. The walls are decorated with some older cigar artwork and the walk-in humidor is easily laid out such that you can find your favourites or even a few you’ve never tried. Probably my only complaint was the fact that it closes at 8pm. This, however, may be a reflection of the recent law in Baltimore banning smoking pretty much everywhere and the recent financial crisis. This is the kind of store that needs to be supported regularly.

So, if you’re ever in Baltimore, drop by and have a smoke.