OCL Sign

We have a winner.  Although we tried a bunch of different ways to build a sign leave it up to the professionals.  We used Sun Graphics in Fremont CA a nice local company and they outdid themselves designing a sign and Monument Board plaque.

Busy at work

You will see much more frequent posts now.  Every day new things are happening at the store.

We all knew, and consistent feedback from everybody, was to make sure it isn't smoky inside.  A smoky lounge isn't comfortable to hang out in.  Our single biggest expense (except for the initial cigar order) is going to be the air handling system.  Every couple of minutes we are going to scrub the entire store of smokey air, clean it and return back fresh air.  We looked at a couple of companies but settled on a local company in Fremont Alton Air.  They have experience in venting cigar stores and are great to work with. 

Everyday we are stopping by and watching the progress.  Here is a picture of John taking a look at the ducts that are going to bring the fresh air back into the lounge.  We will also have a direct vent out with a turbo button.  So when we have events and stuff and things get a little smokey we can kick in the turbo mode.  One thing I realize now that the walls are up is that the lounge is a lot bigger in reality than I thought it would be.  I can't wait until the first cigar!

Now Hiring. Plus, are we Insane trying to open a Cigar store in California

We are now actively looking to hire a manager for the store and are looking at part time people for day to day operations.  If your interested Check out the Craigslist Add or shoot me a personal e-mail.  Ideally we'll find somebody that knows retail and the cigar business.

Now to the crazy part.  A lot of people have asked me how hard is it to open something like a Cigar Lounge in California and I've had an equal number of questions if we are going to be able to serve drinks.

For the Cigar Lounge answer it is pretty simple:  If you have a retail tobacco establishment you can smoke inside.  Simple enough and attempts to tighten smoking regulation in California were recently defeated by the California Legislature.  We have legislated to the point that if you don't want to encounter people smoking you don't have to.  Now we need to make sure people that want to enjoy a Pipe or Cigar can continue to do so.  However, we do have a risk of the city or county passing stricter laws than the state and causing problems in the future.  But for now I think the sentiment is on the side of letting people choose.  If you get the smoke away from me when I don't want it let others who do want it to smoke.

The alcohol is a different beast.  Short answer if you drink you can't smoke inside.  But we have spoken to a couple of people in the City of Fremont and explained that people can't come in off the street and get a drink.  What we want to be able to do is have people come in and enjoy a drink while they smoke a cigar.  You have to buy a cigar from the store and we are not going to allow cigarette smoking in the lounge.  I think these two factors will let us sell alchoholic drinks to people enjoying a cigar in the lounge.  There is a lot of precedence already in California of Cigar Lounges selling drinks, we just need to work with the City to understand this isn't a bar trying to get around the rules.

Updated Pictures.  I swung by the store today to see the progress being made.  They have trenched the concrete for the sewer line to the bathroom and pulled all the electrical.  We are looking at having electrical inspections in a day or two.

In the first picture you see the dirt from the trench and a couple of the guys walking around.  The open door at the right side of the picture is the lavatory.  This is the retail space.

I also took a quick picture of the Lounge area.  It is bigger than I imagined in my head.  This is going to a great place to relax and enjoy a Cigar, and hopefully a drink, in.  The openings in the middle of the wall are the braces for the big screen TVs we'll be installing.  A 60" by the far wall and a 42" next to it.  Above the Bar to the right you can't see will be another smaller TV.  

Thoughts on a color for the front sign:

Any comments on the Sign Color.  

Did somebody want a Kick Ass Cigar Lounge in Fremont

Construction is now in full swing at the Ohlone Cigar Lounge.  The have the entire place framed up and were working on Saturday to get things done quicker.  I dropped by to a very dusty worksite today.  They were working on the external dry wall today and if you've ever been somewhere where sheetrock work is going on you know there is a lot of dust in the air.  

The first picture is from the front of the store which will be the humidors and retail space.  Along the wall at the left is going to be the humidors, there is a bathroom in the corner and the cash wrap (display case and where the cash register will sit) will be back against the far wall.  You can just make out the doorway to the lounge at the back by the light.  Sorry for the quality but given how much dust was there this is pretty good

Retail Space

The second picture is from the lounge.  When I looked at the plans and we were playing with how the furniture was going to be arranged I was worried that the lounge is going to feel a little small.  I was wrong.  The lounge is going to be large and very comfortable to sit and enjoy a cigar in.  

From back of lounge

Along the left wall will be a 60" TV for sporting events.  Back wall will have member lockers and a bar with a smaller TV above it.  The opening to the lounge can be seen a little easier here along the far right wall.    Lots of space for comfortable chairs to relax in.

Now that construction is in full swing the other 10,352,412 things we have to get done to open become real!

This week I had to fly from San Diego to Montreal for a 1 day meeting.  Long flight but I got to enjoy some of the finer offerings in Montreal.  What a cool city.  This may or may not be a Monte Cristo Number 2 from Cuba.  That is a fantastic Scotch from Scotland I'm drinking.

Please go Faster

Despite our confidence being shattered about a SuperBowl weekend opening we thought we were safe saying March Madness.  But reality is sinking in and we will be lucky to be open for the National Championship Game on April 2nd.  Permits have all been signed off but construction in earnest isn't starting until next week Feb 7th.  Then 4 - 5 weeks of buildout, 1 week for the floors and 1 or two weeks for us all to move in.  Simple logic pushes out to mid April best case.

We are selling though.  My last post mentioned our first customer Paul Benn.  We have made a couple other sales of full boxes.  If you are looking for a box of cigars or accessories we can and will sell it to you.  Unfortunately we don't have enough storage space to sell partial boxes yet.  You'll have to wait until the store opens. 

We are actively looking for a manager to run the store.  This is our most important decision and if you have anybody you can recommend let me know.  If you have somebody that would be a great fit for running a retail Cigar Store and Lounge please let me know at jrichardson@yobbo.net. 

Sorry, no pictures this week.  Lots of stuff happening but not anything that you can take a picture of.