A new cigar shop and lounge is heading to East Atlanta Village this fall. Big Al’s Cigar Shop is targeting an opening around the end of September at 530 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, co-owner John Hammond told What Now Atlanta.
Hammond, who has long enjoyed smoking cigars, teamed up with his business partner and the namesake of the brand, Al, to bring the concept to life. Al has worked at local cigar shops, including Cigar City Club and J’s Cigars & Coffee House, for the past 10-15 years.
“For two years, Al was thinking about opening up a place of his own, and we would smoke cigars together and drink bourbon,” Hammond said. “After a while, my wife and I had saved a bit of money, and I wanted to invest in something that I thought would be interesting and also aligned with my own interest.”
The duo took a lease on a 2,500-square-foot space at East Atlanta Village.
“East Atlanta Village is a growing destination that offers a unique perspective on the city and its entertainment industry, and we thought it would be a great place to open a cigar shop,” Hammond said. “We’ve been in the process of creating what we think is going to be a unique cigar spot among what sometimes feels like an overly crowded field of cigar shops. But we think we offer something unique.”
Their recipe for success lies largely in Al’s experience and “magnetic personality,” Hammond said. Al has a knack for finding boutique cigars, meaning that customers can expect to see both big brands and more unique finds at the shop. The team will be available to offer personalized recommendations regarding which boutique cigars would match customers’ desired flavor profile, making the environment approachable for both seasoned and new cigar smokers.
They also hope to create community around the shop, offering a relaxing environment. The space will feature ample seating, a large humidor, two garage doors on either side of the space and about four to five TVs. They hope to weave jazz music into the shop, as well.
A mural along the Glenwood Avenue side of the building features a mural that accentuates the shop.
“We’re working very hard to create a business that fits in that space but also offers a unique and additive component to East Atlanta Village,” Hammond said.
Look out for an opening announcement on their Instagram page.
