Today we’d like to introduce you to Demian Enders.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My business partner, Mike, and I were coworkers when we spontaneously came up with the idea for a cigar lounge. After much discussion about if we were crazy to entertain such an idea, we decided to give it a try. What’s the worst that could happen?
With decades of exposure to every type of cigar and cigar shop environment, plus years of experience in business, retail, and design, Mike and I were armed and ready to make an idea into a reality. After two years of research and development, Cigar and Lounge opened their doors in May 2012 to offer an environment to anyone who enjoys quality cigars at their finest.
Five years after opening our doors, we have tripled our size due to an expansion two years ago, and continue to grow with the support of everyone who enjoys a good cigar.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. It’s not easy to start a business just by bootstrapping. Especially in Massachusetts where our core product is taxed on four different levels (federal excise, state excise, town personal property, and state sales tax). Most cigar lounges in MA have either relocated to bordering states or gone out of business due to legislation. Because MA has such a high excise tax on cigars, residents will avoid the tax by purchasing online or driving no more than 40 minutes to surrounding states like NH, RI, and CT, where taxes are competitive.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cigar and Lounge – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Cigar and Lounge is designed to embody the cigar culture. Patrons come in to our walk-in humidor, guided by Mike or me, to get quality recommendations on what to smoke. They are then free to take a seat in one of our leather chairs or couches to get some true relaxation. Or they can watch TV, play cards, chess, of other social games to decompress from the stresses of society. People come for the top quality cigars, get hooked by our extraordinary customer service, and stay for the ideal cigar smoking environment.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the diversity among the places to go for entertainment, food, and culture. Also the location placing us about 2 hours from the mountains in NH, the beaches in Cape Cod, or the Berkshires in western MA.
What I like least is how difficult it is to get where you want to go, due to traffic, inadequate public transportation, lack of parking, cost of parking, and congestion of people in general.
Contact Info:
- Address: 56 Dexter Ave
Watertown, MA 02472 - Website: cigarandlounge.com
- Phone: 617-393-1645
- Email: ask@cigarandlounge.com
- Instagram: http://www.imgsta.com/user/cigarandlounge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarAndLounge
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cigarandlounge
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cigar-and-lounge-watertown
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/2566316/
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
